Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Black Meteors central defender Habib Mohammed was the victor for Ghana as his 87th-minute goal earned Ghana a point in the opening game of the Under-23 Confederation of African Football (CAF) U23 tournament in Egypt.
With a goalless draw first half, Ghana came into the second half with intentions of getting a lead to cushion them ahead of their second Group A game against host nation Egypt but Cameroonian forward Evina Franck’s well-struck free kick in the 59th minute left Ghana fighting for a draw to keep hopes alive for the tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the 2020 Summer Olympics Ganes in Tokyo Japan.
Ghana came close to finding the equalizer after Kwabena Owusu received a pass inside the box and curled it inches wide, with more pressure from Ghana as they looked to get the needed equaliser and possibly a win to cushion them in their next Group A match on Monday November 11, 2019 against Egypt who top Group A with three points after beating Mali by 1:0 in the first Group A match.
The Meteors kept probing and asking questions of the defense of Cameroon but to no avail until the 87th minute, when Mohammed’s goal saved the day for Ghana, leaving both coaches looking content with the draw, as Ghana’s Ibrahim Tanko noted that the results was a fair one, which would propel his side to go harder in their next match to keep their chances of grabbing a slot alive.
“It is a fair result for both teams, now we would focus and prepare for our next match against Egypt” he said.
The tournament scheduled from November 8-22 would see the three finalist representing Africa at the Summer Olympics Games, with Ghana bent on picking one of the slots for the tournament they have failed to qualify for in the last 14 years.
