From our special correspondent in Abidjan – Cape Verde surprised Ghana (2-1) on Sunday during the first day of Group B of CAN 2024. Taking advantage of the draw between Egypt and Mozambique, the Blue Sharks took the head of group B.
Published on: 01/14/2024 – 10:59 p.m.
3 mn
The blue sharks of Cocody Bay in Abidjan are formidable. Cape Verde defeated Ghana (2-1) on Sunday January 14 and takes the lead in Group B of CAN 2024, ahead of Egypt and Mozambique.
Last match of the day at the “Felicia” stadium, Ghana – Cape Verde saw the venue fill up a little, particularly with Ghanaian supporters who came as neighbors. Despite the crazy energy they displayed, it was the Cape Verdeans who quickly took control of the match.
On a first corner, Lopes places a header which he judges to be countered by Mensah’s arm. The referee does not whistle a penalty (3rd). Just like when Semenyo collapsed in the Blue Sharks area (9th).
Blue Sharks have bite
Better organized, the Creoles circulate the ball fluidly and exhaust their opponents in useless races. They frequently find space behind the defense. The opening score therefore does not surprise anyone. Moreira overflows and crosses back for Cabral. Ofori unfortunately pushes back at the feet of Monteiro who finishes the job (17th, 0-1).
Ghana eventually got back on track, even if the Blue Sharks remained a permanent threat in each of their possessions. The Black Stars even believe they equalize thanks to a perfect strike from Ashimeru. He is going to celebrate in front of the supporters but the VAR whistles the end of the party: Konigsdorffer, offside, masked the goalkeeper (37th).
The half-time break takes away the legs and the appetite of both teams. The match gets bogged down in a false rhythm. Until a monumental helmet hit from the former Caen player Alexander Djiku, who equalized with an uncrossed header leaving Vozinha in place (55th, 1-1).
A record for Ayew
The Black Stars finally pass the second and are close to doubling the lead on a tumble from Paintsil (59th). The entrance of the legend André Ayew, which triggers a standing ovation, gives heart to Ghana. On this occasion, the son of Abédi Pelé equals Rigobert Song’s record for the number of CAN contested (8). He has lost none of his technique, as he proves with a splendid roulette on the left of the field (71st).
8+7 – Ghana captain André Ayew could become the third player to appear in eight editions of the @CAF_Online Africa Cup of Nations, after Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan. If Ayew scores for Ghana, he will be the first ever player to score in seven different AFCON… pic.twitter.com/qTBHqPeZQL
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 10, 2024
Scorer, Djiku turns into a hero when he saves a goal ball in place of his goalkeeper from an attempt by Bebe (72nd). If Ghana is more enterprising, the Blues continue to create danger. Ofori barely intervenes with his foot on a strike from Cabral, after a festival in the Ghanaian area (85th).
But Ofori only postpones the inevitable, arrived by Gilson, who takes advantage of a nice ball from the defense and a misunderstanding between Salisu and his goalkeeper at the start of added time (90th + 2, 1-2).
Read alsoFind the classification of group B
Full of surprises, the day was difficult for sports betting addicts. Against all expectations, the Blue Sharks take the lead in the group after defeating Ghana. The Black Stars will have to give everything on Thursday in the clash against Egypt. Woe to the vanquished!
