CAPE VERDE and Egypt played a 2-2 draw tonight in Abidjan as both teams progressed to the knockout rounds of the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, on the same dramatic night that saw Ghana eliminated.
The Black Stars of Ghana, who have won the AFCON title four times but their last one was in 1982, were on the verge of advancing to the round of 16 until they conceded two late goals to draw 2-2 with Mozambique.
Jordan Ayew scored twice from the penalty spot to give Ghana a 2-0 lead going into stoppage time but the advantage was cancelled out in shocking fashion.
Geny Catamo pulled one back for Mozambique with a penalty of his own one minute into injury time, and Reinildo Mandava broke Ghanaian hearts three minutes later with the equalising goal that ended the Black Stars’ AFCON 2023 journey.
With the draw, both Ghana and Mozambique finished on two points, the latter in third place in Group B on goal difference and the latter bottom of the pile.
Although third-placed teams have a shot at qualifying for the round of 16, Ghana’s two points are not likely to be enough and they are on their way out at the earliest stage in a second consecutive AFCON.
The group was won by Cape Verde with seven points after another dramatic encounter with Egypt ended 2-2.
Cape Verde, who were already assured of their place in the knockout rounds after winning their first two games against Ghana and Mozambique, took the lead tonight through Gilson Tavares in first-half added time.
Trezeguet drew Egypt level five minutes after the break and Mostafa Mohamed appeared to have given the Pharaohs their first victory of AFCON 2023 with his strike in the third minute of stoppage time.
Cape Verde however never gave up and equalised in the ninth minute of stoppage time through substitute
Bryan Teixeira to puncture Egypt’s celebrations.
Fortunately for the Pharaohs, however, Mozambique’s late comeback meant three points were enough for the North Africans to finish in second place and secure a ticket to the second round.
Remarkably, all of Egypt’s Group B games ended in 2-2 draws.
