Ghana conceded a last-minute goal to lose 2-1 to Cape Verde in their opening Group B encounter of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday.
The Black Stars, perennial underachievers on the continental stage, fell to Cape Verde’s opening match hoodoo as the sharks mauled them thanks to Garry Rodrigues’ winner.
It is the first time Ghana would lose to the island nation after winning their previous four encounters by a combined score of 9-0.
Jamiro Monteiro pounced on a rebound on 17 minutes to slot into an unguarded net to give Cape Verde the lead and it took Ghana until the second half to restore parity.
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Alexander Djiku got on the end of Jordan Ayew’s corner kick, his header bulging the net on 56 minutes.
The defender would be part of a defensive chaos that handed Cape Verde victory when a long throw glanced off him and miscommunication between goalkeeper and defender saw the ball land at the feet of Rodrigues who gratefully tucked it into the empty net, sparking wild celebration from players and fans.
Ghana, rooted to the bottom of the Group B table, face Egypt in their second match.
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The Pharaohs relied on Mohamed Salah’s penalty kick awarded after full-time by VAR to rescue a point for Egypt.
Mostafa Mohamed’s early goal had been obliterated by two goals in two minutes from Witi Quembo and Clesio Bauque before Salah broke Mozambican hearts to settle for a draw.
Earlier in the day, an uninspired Super Eagles played out a 1-1 draw with a relentless Equatorial Guinea side.
RESULTS
Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde
Egypt 2-2 Mozambique
Nigeria 1-1 Equatorial Guinea
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