AFCON 2023: Black Stars on brink of exit after late collapse against Mozambique
Ghana’s midfielder #10 Andre Ayew reacts after the draw between the teams of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group B football match between Mozambique and Ghana at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP) (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
The Black Stars would have to rely on other results to avoid a shock Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group-stage exit for the second time in a row.
Ghana blew away a two-goal lead late in their final Group B game of the tournament to draw 2-2 leaving on the cusp of elimination.
A Jordan Ayew brace from the spot seemed to have Ghana on course for their first win of the competition but Geny Catamo and Reinildo scored to deny the Black Stars all three points.
Ayew opened the scoring for Ghana after 15 minutes as he calmly converted from the penalty spot after Joseph Paintsil was brought down.
The Genk man switched flanks and made a good run down the right, beating his marker before being fouled inside the box.
Before that play, Antoine Semenyo should have broken the deadlock for the Black Stars but his effort was tipped over the bar by the Mozambique goalkeeper.
Mozambique’s goalkeeper #22 Ivane Urrubal makes a save during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group B football match between Mozambique and Ghana at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP) (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Ghana turned to relax after taking the lead with Mozambique seeing more of the ball but they were however unable to make good use of it.
Chris Hughton was forced into a substitution after Majeed Ashimeru was unable to continue the game with Iddrisu Baba taking his place.
Ghana went into the lead ahead but Mozambique came back from recess the better team as they almost got back on level terms.
A header inside the penalty box went wide of Ghana’s post before Richard Ofori made a good save out of Bruno Langa’s effort.
However, after a good passage of play, Ghana won a second penalty after the ball came off Reinildo’s arm from a Mohammed Kudus strike.
Ghana’s forward #9 Jordan Ayew celebrates scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group B football match between Mozambique and Ghana at Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan on January 22, 2024. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP) (Photo by ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images)
Ayew stepped once again and converted cooly to double the team’s lead to put the team on course for the maximum points.
Just as it looked like the game was going to finish 2-0, Mozambique were awarded a penalty after Andre Ayew’s hand came into contact with the ball.
The resulting penalty was converted to make it 2-1.
With just minutes away from full-time, Richard Ofori conceded an avoidable corner kick which was headed in by Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo to draw the tie.
Ghana would have to wait for the rest of the groups to finish on Wednesday to see if their two points and a goal difference of -1 is enough to sneak through to the knockout stages.
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