The Black Stars of Ghana for the second time in the group stage of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations thrown away a late lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw by The Mambas of Mozambique at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The draw extended Ghana’s longest winless run at the AFCON (seven games, D4, L3). Ghana have only won one of their last 12 matches in the competition (D6 L5) – a 2-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau in the 2019 group stage.
The result means Ghana ended the group stage with two points which has historically not been enough for teams to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Ghana appeared to be coasting into the round of 16 after Crystal Palace winger Jordan Ayew scored a brace from the penalty spot in either side of halftime.
However, with The Mamba’s mounting pressure late in the second half, Ghana cracked.
First, skipper Andre Ayew was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty box and Mozambique scored from the resulting penalty kick through Geny Catama.
Mozambique grabbed their equaliser from a corner kick which was awarded after goalkeeper Richard Ofori inexplicably handled a wayward effort. Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava, at fault for Ghana’s second penalty rose highest to head past Ofori in the fourth minute of added time.
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