Ghana threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique in the last group B game in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Monday.
Jordan Ayew scored two penalties in either half for the Black Stars but Cape Verde came back stronger to pick a point after scoring in the last few minutes of the game. Joseph Painstil started in place of Inkai Williams in a strong starting lineup up and he lived up to the billing by winning a penalty in the first half.
Jordan Ayew converted from the spot in the 15th minute following a foul on Joseph Paintsil in the box as Ghana went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
After recess, Chris Hughton introduced Andre Ayew for Joseph Painstil and pushed Antoine Semenyo to the right side of the attack. But that substitution didn’t make the needed impact as Mozambique kept putting pressure on the leveler.
Ghana extended their lead through another spot-kick that was expertly converted by Jordan Ayew within 70 minutes. Mozambique pulled one back in the 90th minute, as Geny Catamo scored from the spot after a handball by skipper Andre Ayew.
Mozambique pushed forward looking for the equalizer and found their goal in added time through Reinildo Mandava. Mandava headed home a corner kick by Shaquille Momad Nangy to break the hearts of Ghanaians.
Ghana now need a miracle to progress to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams after finishing third behind Cape Verde and Egypt.
