It is another Africa Cup of Nations shock as Ghana squandered a 2-0 lead in the 90th minute, settling for a 2-2 draw against Mozambique and standing on the brink of elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The draw positioned Ghana to finish third in the group with only two points, falling behind Egypt, who also played to a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, securing the second spot with three points. Ghana has lost the first game to Cape Verde and drew the next two 2-2.
As things stand, the Black Stars are fifth in the ranking of the best-placed number three teams. Their only chance of advancing depends on the final group matches of other teams, specifically hoping that either Algeria or Zambia lose by significant margins.
Ghana initially appeared to secure a spot in the last 16 with two Jordan Ayew penalties, one in each half. However, Geny Catamo’s penalty in the 91st minute and Reinildo Mandava’s header in the 92nd minute shattered Ghana’s hopes.
Ghana benefited from two penalty decisions, both contentious, with the video assistant referee seeing no reason to overturn the calls on Nanani’s slight contact on Joseph Paintsil and Mandava’s handball.
The late collapse increased pressure on coach Hughton, as Ghana faces the risk of a second consecutive AFCON group-stage exit. After earning just one point in the 2021 edition, Ghana’s performance in Ivory Coast has been disappointing, now winless in their past seven AFCON finals matches.
While Mozambique finished at the bottom of the group, their competitive displays against heavyweights Ghana and Egypt suggest a promising future despite still seeking their first AFCON finals win after 15 attempts.
Source: BBC Sports
