In a sensational turn of events at the AFCON, Mozambique orchestrated a remarkable late comeback, scoring a stoppage-time late penalty and corner to salvage a 2-2 draw against Ghana on Tuesday.
The Black Stars initially looked poised to secure their first Group B win, with Jordan Ayew netting two first-half penalties after fouls on Joseph Paintsil and Mohammed Kudus. However, Mozambique mounted an astonishing late fightback.
The turning point occurred in the 90th minute when Andre Ayew conceded a penalty, converted by Geny Catamo. In the final moments of the match, Reinildo Mandava slammed in a second penalty, leaving the Black Stars stunned and earning Mozambique an unexpected point.
The dramatic turn of events saw Ghana still searching for their first victory at AFCON 2023 after three matches. Both teams, along with Gabon, exited the tournament at the group stage.
Ghana needed a win to progress, but Mozambique's incredible late surge put them on the brink of an early exit from the tournament.
Post-match reactions included comments from both coaches:
Chiquinho Conde, Mozambique coach, praised his players' qualities and the people of Mozambique. Despite not securing a victory, he noted the impressive effort and expressed disappointment at not being able to continue in the tournament.
Chris Hughton, Ghana coach, acknowledged the team's struggles, stating, “In three matches, we have two points with a lot of energy spent.” He took responsibility for the loss, citing difficulties in maintaining concentration and expressing disappointment at losing a two-goal lead in the final minutes.
With two points, Ghana now faces a slim chance of progressing to the knockout round in the AFCON Côte d'Ivoire 2023. The shocking draw between Mozambique and Ghana adds a new layer of unpredictability to the tournament as teams vie for a place in the next stage.
