YAOUNDE: Ghana captain Andre Ayew disregarded Gabon as a “small staff” after Jim Allevinah’s past due objective noticed Friday’s Africa Cup of Countries conflict between the groups in Yaounde end in a 1-1 draw. Ayew’s high-quality early strike had the four-time champions on track to assert their first win in Team C just for Allevinah to blast in a excellent 88th-minute equaliser that places Gabon on the point of the closing 16 however leaves Ghana’s hopes on a knife-edge.
The Black Stars had been livid that Gabon scored after opting now not to go back the ball when Ghana put it out of play after their midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh went down injured. “It used to be very small of them, however then this is how it’s with small groups,” Ayew stated. “We put the ball out of play, and it’s honest play in soccer to provide the ball again. Had they carried out that they don’t have scored. They didn’t have any probabilities.”
After a shoving fit broke out at the pitch at full-time, the referee summoned a Ghanaian again out from the dressing room to brandish a pink card. The participant in query gave the look to be Benjamin Tetteh, with tv photos appearing that he punched Gabon’s Aaron Boupendza all the way through the melee. The end result leaves Ghana with only one level in Team C, with Gabon on 4 and Morocco-who secured qualification after beating the Comoros 2-0 earlier-now sure to advance as one of the most height two.
“We can swallow the tablet and take a look at to win the following sport, and with a bit of luck 4 issues can be sufficient to move via,” stated Ayew. It used to be a high-quality end result for Gabon who had been once more with out big name striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina. The duo ignored the staff’s opening win over the Comoros after trying out sure for Covid-19 and sat out this fit after some residue from their an infection used to be detected of their unfavorable check at the eve of the sport.
Malawi beat Zimbabwe
Frank Mhango scored two times as Malawi got here from in the back of to defeat Zimbabwe 2-1 on Friday within the Africa Cup of Countries and stay alive their hopes of achieving the second one spherical for the primary time. The ahead from South African membership Orlando Pirates netted in every 1/2 after Ishmael Wadi had put Zimbabwe forward in a full of life Team B fit in Bafoussam. Mhango lately returned to motion after a long harm layoff and turned into most effective the 1/3 participant after Cameroonians Vincent Aboubakar (two times) and Karl Toko Ekambi to bag a brace thus far on this Cup of Countries. Guinea and Senegal percentage the Team B lead with 4 issues every after two rounds of suits, Malawi have 3 and Zimbabwe are unnecessary. Team winners and runners-up qualify routinely for the spherical of 16, along side the most productive 4 third-placed groups.
On Tuesday, Malawi face 2019 runners-up Senegal in Bafoussam whilst Guinea meet Zimbabwe within the Cameroonian capital, Yaounde. “Congratulations to my boys, who deserved to win as a result of they labored so laborious,” stated Malawi trainer Meck Mwase as the rustic celebrated most effective their 2d Cup of Countries win after beating Algeria 12 years in the past. Zimbabwe trainer Norman Mapeza admitted their probabilities of making the closing 16 had been slender, pronouncing “our most effective hope is to qualify as a third-placed staff and to take action we will have to beat a excellent Guinean staff convincingly”.
Burst into lifestyles
After the presence of Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Naby Keita within the first 1/2 of a double-header-a 0-0 draw between Senegal and Guinea-there had been no immediately recognizable Malawi or Zimbabwe stars. Malawi started with 5 native avid gamers, 5 based totally in South Africa and one in Mozambique whilst Zimbabwe had in ahead Tino Kadewere from French membership Lyon the one starter from a top-five Ecu league.
After a gradual get started on the 20,000-capacity Stade Omnisport within the western Cameroon highlands, the sport burst into lifestyles as half-time approached. Zimbabwe went forward on 38 mins when an Onismor Bhasera move allowed Wadi to attain with a superbly positioned looping header that simply eluded the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe. The benefit lasted simply 5 mins, alternatively, earlier than every other move from the left flank, this time through Francisco Madinga, produced a objective with Mhango poking the ball into the online from shut vary.
Malawi, who misplaced injured captain and defender Limbikani Mzava simply earlier than the 30 minutes, left the sector at half-time the happier staff having survived a number of scares. Gerald Takwara and Wadi wasted excellent close-range probabilities to damage the impasse in the most recent episode of a southern Africa contention in the past ruled through Zimbabwe. Mhango struck once more on 58 mins to edge the Flames in entrance, profiting from defensive hesitancy through Teenage Hadebe to push the ball previous goalkeeper Petros Mhari. — AFP