AFCON round-up: Ivory Coast on brink of exit as Ghana crash out

January 22, 2024 11:59 pm

AFCON round-up: Ivory Coast on the brink of exit as Ghana crash out

Ghana surrendered a two-goal lead to get a 2-2 draw against Mozambique in their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group match on Monday.

Two Jordan Ayew’s penalties were cancelled by two Mozambique goals in added time as Ghana were bundled out of the tournament by the less-fancied side.

Ayew had dispatched a 15th-minute penalty awarded for a foul on John Pantsil to put the Black Stars in the lead.

He then doubled it in the second half, thanks to another penalty awarded for handball. Ayew repeated the trick as the Gold Coast nation looked on the way to a first AFCON win.

They, however, fumbled in added time, conceding a penalty when Andre Ayew, the team captain, handled the ball in the box, and Geny Catamo converted the penalty.

Reinildo Mandava thereafter rose highest to nod in an improbable leveler that sent Ghana packing out of Ivory Coast.

The draw sees Ghana finish Group B in third position with just two points, while Mauritius finish last.

Cape Verde top Group B following a 2-2 draw with Egypt who took second place with three points from consecutive draws.

Earlier, Ivory Coast were humiliated by Equatorial Guinea who floored the Elephants 4-0 in Abidjan. The Elephants, who finished third in Group A on three points, will hope other results go in their favour to advance.

The four best third-placed sides across the six groups will progress to the last 16.

Equatorial Guinea are surprise Group A winners on superior goal difference to Nigeria who also finished on seven points following a 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.

RESULTS