Ghanaian fans and media went into a frenzied meltdown as the Black Stars were shocked by Mozambique in their final Group B match at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Ghana, who were third in the group with one point before the match, were shocked after throwing away a two-goal lead in injury-time in the last group match, where they needed to win at all costs to go through.
Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew, the younger brother of captain Andre Ayew, slotted home his first penalty in the 15th minute after Joseph Pantsil felt Nanani’s small contact.
Ayew doubled Ghana’s lead with another calm penalty in the 70th minute after Reinildo Mandava blocked West Ham striker Mohamed Kudus’ shot with the arm slightly away from his body.
Then, it looked like the Black Stars would get away with their below-par performance and reach the round of 16.
But Andre Ayew’s hand was fully stretched out of his body when Gildo Lourenco’s flick inside the box towards the end of regulation time and Geny Catamo sent Orlando Pirates goalie Richard Ofori the wrong way as Mozambique launched one of the greatest comebacks in what has been a dramatic AFCON tournament.
Atletico Madrid left-back Reinildo then rose highest in the 94th minute to score the equaliser, beating Andrew Ayew in the process, to dash the Black Stars’ hope.
Ofori also didn’t cover himself in glory as he flapped a ball that was going out of play and it was adjudged to be a corner before they were punished.
While it is a pain for Ghana because they are as good as out with two points in third place, it is a sighting many South Africans loved to see, as they have not forgotten what happened in the 2021 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Mzansi went into frenzy following the draw as they flooded X space with memes, especially that of Andre Ayew in the 2021 edition when he was seen crying.
This was the second time in successive AFCONs that the Black Stars were in a meltdown. They also crashed out in the group stages two years ago in Cameroon – losing to Morocco, and drawing with Gabon before tiny Comoros stunned them in the last match, leaving the tournament with just one point.
Well, unlike in 2021, it was an improvement on this year’s edition with two points.
Mohamed Kudus, who was named Man of the Match, but struggled to utter words when he was asked by CAF’s Tanou Diallo to reflect on the game, saying “I’m out of words, I don’t know what to say, thank you. Thanks to the fans for the support.
“Thanks to everyone for the vote, thank you, thank you.” It was an interview that lasted only 33 seconds, before Kudus, who is rated very highly, went away in pain.
Not many saw this coming for Ghana to be nervily waiting, if they can still go through to the knockout stages as one of the four third-best finishers, but chances are very slim.
While many South Africans enjoyed the meltdown and pocked fun at Ghana on X, Ghanaian media didn’t shower themselves in glory and needed to be restrained by CAF security personal as some were insulting coach Chris Hughton and some of the players.
