Ghana were the architects of their own demise after they let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday, January 22 to be eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
0-15 minutes: The Black Stars made a bright start and Antoine Semenyo forced Ivane Urrubal to tip his long-range shot over the crossbar in the opening minute after Jordan Ayew did well to hold the ball up before laying it off for his team-mate. Joseph Paintsil then won them a penalty on 13 minutes after drawing a foul from Nanani inside the box and Ayew made no mistake from 12 yards out to break the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark.
16-30 minutes: The two teams battled to take control of proceedings on a bumpy playing surface and no further chances were forthcoming in a quiet period during the first half, which saw Majeed Ashimeru go into the referee’s book for a poor challenge on Geny Catamo.
31-45 minutes: Ashimeru wouldn’t see out of the half, however, after picking up what appeared to be a calf injury as he back-heeled the ball to Salis Abdul Samed and was replaced by Iddrisu Baba in the 37th minute. Witi finally had the Mamba’s first sniff at goal ion 42 minutes when he drove towards goal before blazing a shot over the target from range.
46-60 minutes: Mozambique came out of the blocks flying in the second half as they created three early chances, with Lau King steering a free header wide of the left post from Witi’s cross on 48 minute before Bruno Langa forced Richard Ofori into a save with a first-time strike from inside the box in the 50th minute and goalkeeper had to scramble back to claim Alfons Amade’s looping header on 55 minutes.
61-75 minutes: However, Ghana appeared to be cruising when Ayew struck again from the spot on 70 minutes after Mohammed Kudus’ volley hit Reinildo Mandava on the arm to earn them another penalty. The Mambas had two decent chances soon afterwards as Amade and Gildo both sent header wide of the target.
76-90 minutes: The Black Stars came under increasing pressure in the closing stages and Ofori looked more and more uncomfortable as Mozambique delivered balls into the danger area. Chiquinho Conde’s side were rewarded for their efforts late on when Andre Ayew handled inside the box to concede a penalty, which was converted by Geny Catamo. Ofori then made a costly error as he conceded a corner in an attempt to keep the ball in play and Mandava headed home a 94th-minute equaliser to send Ghana packing from the tournament.
Mozambique (0) 2 (Catamo 90+1′ PEN, Mandava 90+4′)
Ghana (1) 2 (J. Ayew 15′ PEN, 70′ PEN)
