Ghana bundled out of Afcon after humiliating defeat to Comoros

18 January 2022 - 23:32 By Reuters
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Morocco's player Achraf Hakimi (right) celebrates after he scored their second goal against Gabon on Tuesday.
CELEBRATION Morocco's player Achraf Hakimi (right) celebrates after he scored their second goal against Gabon on Tuesday.
Image: MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY

Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) campaign came to a humiliating end on Tuesday as they were beaten 3-2 by debutants Comoros Islands at Garoua's Roumde Adjia Stadium to finish bottom of Group C with just a single point.

El Fardou Ben Mohamed scored Comoros’ first ever goal at the continental finals before Ahmed Mogni added a second just past the hour-mark.

Goals from Richmond Boakye and Alexander Djiku levelled the game up for Ghana, but Mogni grabbed a winner for the tiny island nation with five minutes remaining.

It is the first time in their history that Ghana have failed to win at least one pool stage match having made 22 past visits to the finals, their cause not helped in Garoua by playing for 65 minutes with 10 men after a harsh early red card for lead striker Dede Ayew.

Morocco topped Group C with seven points, followed by Gabon on five, who also advance to the second round.

Comoros have an outside chance of being among the best third-placed finishers, though their minus two goal-difference will likely count against them.

Elsewhere, Morocco twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Gabon in Yaounde and finish top of Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Achraf Hakimi hit a stunning free kick six minutes from the end to save Morocco from an upset defeat against a Gabon side which had eight players ruled out due to COVID-19 infections, including talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Jim Allevinah's goal put Gabon ahead at halftime but Sofiane Boufal equalised with a 75th-minute penalty, only for Aaron Boupendza to put Gabon back in front in the last 10 minutes.

Morocco finished with seven points, two ahead of second-placed Gabon.

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