By Safiu Kehinde
The Black Stars of Ghana were left frustrated as they forcefully bowed out of the African Cup of Nations following a 3-2 defeat to Comoros.
In what supposed to be a must-win match for the Ghanaian side, they rather continued their unimpressive display and poor defending which cost them a goal within four minutes into the game.
Things went from bad to worse following Andrew Ayew’s red card. The captain was given a marching order after a dangerous tackle on Comoros goalkeeper, Salim Ben Boina. Aside reducing Ghana to 10-man, the red card also made Andrew Ayew the first captain to receive a red card in the tournament’s history.
Meanwhile, Ghana kept the pressure on Comoros in search for equalizer, but their efforts were rendered futile as they game progressed into the second-half.
The second-half saw Ghana making some tactical changes with more offensive players coming on the pitch. Edmund Addo replaced Chelsea defender, Rahman Baba while Kamal-Deen Sulaimana had to leave way for eventual game changer, Richmond Boakye in the 60th minute.
Unfortunately, Ghana’s sloppy defence played out again in the 63rd minute as Daniel Amartey and other defenders failed to destabilize Comoros build-up for the second goal. Ahmed Mogni had received a through ball from El-Fardou Ben Nabouhane. The midfielder went ahead to round-up Daniel Amartey before slotting the ball beyond Joseph Wollacott’s reach.
With 26 minutes left before full time whistle, super sub, Richmond Boakye gave the Ghanaians a blight of hope after heading home a corner kick orchestrated by Daniel-Kofi Kyereh. The Black Stars felt motivated as they continued their search for an equalizer.
Eventually, they leveled up the game following another set piece. This time, Alexander Djiku ran through Comoros defence to meet Thomas Partey’s corner kick. The defender comfortably smashed the ball in, making it 2-2 with thirteen minutes left.
However, Comoros were keen on finishing what they started as they launched a counter attack on the wobbly Ghanaian defence. Benjaloud Yossouf sent a through ball into the waiting legs of Ahmed Mogni who neatly slot in the ball into the net — a brace which sank Ghana’s hope and sent the packing from 2021 AFCON tournament.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s trashing made it the first time in almost 20 years they will be eliminated in the first round of the competition.
