U-23 AFCON: Cameroon 1-1 Ghana, more about the game
Ibrahim Tanko paraded a strong eleven to face Cameroon with Asante Kotoko keeper Kwame Baah in post on the night. Kinglsey Fobi, Edward Sarpong, Zakaria fuseni and Habib mohammed completed the back for Meteors.
In midfield, Michael Agbekpornu, Simon Zibo and Yaw Yeboah were the preferred three-man wall, and in front of them were trickster Mensah Evans, Abass issah and Owusu kwabena.
On the side of Cameroon, Simon Omosola, Raphael Anaba, Olivier Mbaizo, Kevin Soni, Franck Junior Evina, Eric Ayuk and Mpindi Ekani were given their maiden start in their maiden appearance in Africa-U23 Nations Cup against Ghana.
The first half ended 0-0, it was Cameroon who enjoyed early possession but were unable to open the Ghana defense.
Ghana got their share of possession getting to the close of the first half, however, their best chance had come on the 13’ minute as sharp Evans Owusu skipped past Raphael Anaba down the left flank before sending a low cross across goal area, but no one was there to connect.
Two minutes later, Ghana came close to scoring again but Habib Mohammed’s header resulting from Yaw Yeboah’s free kick down right flank was too weak to beat Omosola.
Right to the start of the second half, Samuel Obeng replaced quite Abass Issah. Both sides started the second half on a slow note, both Cameroon and Ghana looked cautious in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
Cameroon took the lead on the 59’ minute after Junior Evina placed a nice free kick into the roof of Ghana net after Habib Mohammed had fouled Mpindi Ekani at the back of Ghana box.
Emmanuel Lomotey replaced Daniel Zebo along the line. Kwabena Owusu nearly fetched Meteors the leveler on the 68’ minute but his curling effort down the left flank missed the far post by an inch.
Ghana got what they had being looking for on the 87’ minute. Ghana had being asking too many questions around Cameroon penalty area in the remaining 10 minutes. Resulting from one of their questions, a deflected shot found unmarked Habib Mohammed inside Cameroon box, the defender buried the ball beyond Omosola to make the game 1-1.
On 90+2 mark, Mpindi Ekani got the opportunity to put Cameroon ahead but his header was wide off Ghana posts.
Ghana face table leader Egypt who earlier beat Mali on Monday at Cairo International Stadium whiles Cameroon take on Mali in the other fixture.
