Ghana’s participation in the ongoing 2021 TotalEnergy African Cup of Nations campaign has ended, following a shocking loss to Comoros Island on Tuesday evening.
Ghana lost 3-2 to Comoros Islands at the Stade Omnisport Roumbe Adjia, Garoua, Cameroon in what proved to be a historical win for the debutant.
The result means winless Ghana failed to progress from the group stage of any AFCON tournament for the first time in 16 years after Egypt 2006.
Comoros, having failed to score in their opening two group fixtures, started the game in search of their first-ever goal in the AFCON and wasted no time as captain El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane scored from a counter-attacking play in the fourth minute to give them a lead.
However, Ghana’s hope for equalizing in the first half was dealt with a blow in a disappointing moment when skipper Andrew Dede Ayew was red-carded in the 25th minute after a challenge on goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina.
Thomas Partey then came close to scoring just before recess but his thunderbolt free-kick went wide.
The second half which started a bit slowly was revived with Ahmed Mogni’s 62nd-minute goal before adding his second and the third on the night to complete the havoc for the former champions.
Substitute, Richmond Boakye Yiadom pulled one back for the stars in the 64th minute through Daniel Kofi-Kyere’s corner before centre back Alexander Djiku restored parity with another corner kick in the 77th minute.
Coach, Milova Rajevac threw more men upfront in the quest to salvage all three points but it was too late as the Les Coelacanth’s of Comorans sustained the pressure.
A loss to Morocco, Comoros and a draw with Gabon means the Ghanaians exited an AFCON without a single win in their 23rd appearance leaving them at bottom of the summit with a point.
Group C leaders Morocco qualified alongside Gabon into the last 16 with 7 and 5 points respectively, while Comoros wait to see if they qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams after accumulating three points.
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