- Ghana were leading 2-0 before drawing 2-2
- They now hope they can be among the four best number threes
- Egypt sailed despite Cape Verde draw
Ghana’s Black Stars conceded two goals in added time, throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique in their final Group B match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
A pair of Jordan Ayew penalties had given the Black Stars a healthy 2-0 lead, but Geny Katamo and Reinildo Mandava netted in the 91st and 94th minutes to break Ghanaian hearts and put them on the cusp of a second consecutive group stage exit.
Ghana are placed third in the table with two points. On the smaller log of best third placed teams, Ghana are fifth, and their only hope of making the last 16 is only if either Algeria or Zambia lose heavily in their last round of group matches.
“I don’t have much to say. I just want to thank everyone for their support. I’m very disappointed. We really wanted this victory but it wasn’t to be. It’s a big disappointment for us,” star player Mohamed Kudus said after the match.
Ghana with a good start
Ghana striker Jordan Ayew leads his teammates in celebrating one of his two goals. PHOTO/CAF
Ghana had a good start in the game and were rewarded after quarter of an hour when Ayew converted from the penalty spot after Joseph Paintsil had been brought down inside the area.
In the second half, Mozambique started faster off the blocks and Bruno Langa had a well taken shot from inside the box saved by Richard Ofori before Joao Jone headed wide unmarked from the backpost off a corner.
Ghana took the early warnings and they doubled their lead in the 69th minute from Ayew’s second penalty after Mohammed Kudus’ shot was blocked by a Mozambican hand inside the box.
With a 2-0 lead, Ghana was surely home and dry. But when they needed it most, their concentration levels dropped.
Katamo scored from the spot in the 91st minute after skipper Andre Ayew handled inside the box. In the 94th minute they gave away an unnecessary corner and Reinildo headed it home from Catamo’s delivery.
Egypt secure qualification with draw
Egypt forward Mohamed Trezeguet celebrates his goal. PHOTO/CAF
Meanwhile, despite conceding a 99th minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, Egypt did just enough to secure qualification to the round of 16.
Their third consecutive 2-2 draw saw them finish with three points, one ahead of Ghana who also conceded two late goals to pick a similar draw against Mozambique.
Mohamed Mostafa had scored what looked like a 93rd minute winner, but Bryan Teixeira responded six minutes later to claim a point for the already-qualified Islanders.
Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan had levelled for Egypt, after Gilson Benchimol had given Cape Verde the lead at the stroke of halftime.
It had been a tight duel, with Egypt knowing they were in a must win situation to proceed and not rely on the Ghana result. They started well and should have scored early but Cape Verde keeper Josimar Dias pulled two great saves to deny Omar Marmosh and Mostafa.
They were stunned at the stroke of halftime when Benchimol scored with a volley on the halfturn inside the box.
In the second half, Egypt were on their toes as they sought an equalizer and they did so in the 50th minute when Trezeguet volleyed home from the left off an Ahmed Hegazy flick.
Egypt pushed on and they scored the second in the 93rd minute when Mostafa beautifully controlled Trezeguet’s long pass before volleying over the keeper.
However, all that joy was undone six minutes later when Teixeira scored after keeper Mohamed Elshenawy had spilled a shot into his path.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login