2023 AFCON: Minnow Mozambique Ends Ghana Journey In Ivory Coast

2023 AFCON: Minnow Mozambique Ends Ghana Journey In Ivory Coast

By Sampson Adedeji

The Black Stars of Ghana seemed to be on the verge of crashing out of the African Cup of Nations at the group stage for the second consecutive time as a late comeback from Mozambique looked to have ended their hope, BSNSports.com.ng reports

Jordan Ayew scored a pair of penalties which looked to be sending Ghana through, but a thrilling finale saw Geny Catamo pull one back from the spot before Reinildo Mandava equalised at the death.

The two-dropped points meant Egypt pipped Ghana to second place in Group B, despite also conceding a last-gasp leveller in a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde, and Chris Hughton's side is highly unlikely to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

Ghana were awarded a penalty when Joseph Paintsil twisted his way into the box and was fouled by Nanani and Jordan Ayew coolly rolled the resulting spot-kick into the bottom right corner to open the scoring after 15 minutes.

Following a rare foray into the opposition area Ghana earned another penalty after Mandava handled the ball and Jordan Ayew stepped up again to double his side's lead in the 70th minute.

Mozambique pulled one back a minute into stoppage time when they were given a penalty after an Andre Ayew handball and Catamo fired his effort into the bottom corner.

Their dramatic comeback was complete four minutes into added time when Mandava nodded the ball home from a corner to all but end Ghana's hopes of making the next round.