CAR fight back to deny Ghana in AFCON 2023 qualifier

Central African Republic (CAR) fought back to hold Ghana to a 1-1 draw in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group E match at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Angola on Sunday afternoon.

Therefore, the Wild Beasts recorded their maiden point in Group E and they are currently placed third on the standings having begun their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Angola away on Wednesday.

As they look to qualify for the AFCON finals for the first time, CAR will be hoping to secure their maiden victory in Group E when battle it out with Madagascar away in September this year.

Despite dropping points in Angola, Ghana remained at the top of the group standings having thrashed Madagascar 3-0 at home on Wednesday. The Black Stars will now host Angola in September this year.

The Black Stars attackers were creating problems for the Wild Beasts’ defence with their brilliant combination play involving Mohammed Kudus, Felix Afena-Gyan, Osman Bukari and Joseph Paintsil.

Ghana took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute after a good move which saw Bukari set up Kudus, who then scored with a curling shot that beat goalkeeper Alladoum Kolimba at the far post.

However, CAR pushed for the equalising goal and they got it in the 41st minute when Brad Pirioua sent Karl Namnganda through on goal and the France-based striker scored to make it 1-1 heading into the half-time break.

The Wild Beasts played with a lot of confidence after the restart as they looked to take the lead for the first time with Thibault Ban’s powerful cross-come-shot hitting the side-netting much to the relief of the Black Stars.

The match had to be stopped and play delayed after Gideon Mensah had sustained a head injury, and the Ghanaian defender was rushed to the hospital with Abdul Fatawu replacing the FC Girondins de Bordeaux star.

The encounter was blighted by Mensah’s serious injury with the two teams giving away possession cheaply in the final third and ultimately the first-ever meeting between CAR and Ghana ended in a 1-1 draw.