CAN 2021 – Ghana beaten by Comoros and eliminated, Morocco resists Gabon

Gabonese and Moroccans are smiling after a crazy evening and a draw (2-2). This is not the case of Ghana, which takes the door after its historic defeat against the Comoros (3-2). The Comorians won their very first success in a CAN during this 3rd day of group C which offered many twists and turns.

Ghana has completely failed and falls from above. After a defeat and a draw, he absolutely had to win this Tuesday evening in Garoua but nothing worked, as since the start of the competition. Logically left to push, the Black Stars were cold-picked on the first counter and captain El Fardou Ben Nabouhane scored the very first goal for the Comoros in the African Cup of Nations (0-1, 4th).

Ayew excluded, Djiku scorer for nothing

Determined to react, the Ghanaians then lost their captain André Ayew, expelled for a big foul on the Comorian goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina who had to be replaced by Ali Ahamada (21st). Ahmed Mogni allowed Amir Abdou’s players to break just after the hour mark (0-2, 61st). The Ghanaians however quickly found the resources to revive the suspense thanks to the incoming Richmond Boakye on a corner (1-2, 64th). Strasbourg’s Alexander Djiku even allowed them to equalize, again from a corner (2-2, 77th).

Mogni, who plays in Annecy in National, however had the last word by signing a double to offer the Coelacanthes their first victory (2-3, 85th). The three points pocketed, however, may not be enough to be part of the four best third and see the rest of the competition. The Comorian joy is in any case immense, like the disillusionment of the Ghanaians, last of the group with 1 small point.

Boufal and Hakimi save Morocco

For its part, Morocco, already qualified before this last pool match, got scared. Coach Vahid Halilhodzic had revamped his starting XI with 6 changes from the previous match and it showed. If the Atlas Lions put their foot on the ball, they also proved to be uninspired and harmless against the well-established Gabonese. Above all, they cracked on a slip from their central defender Soufiane Chakla which Jim Allevinah took advantage of to open the scoring (1-0, 21st).

Already a scorer in the last minutes to equalize against Ghana (1-1), the Clermontois gave his people confidence despite the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mario Lemina, in addition to Denis Bouanga’s positive Covid-19 test. Halildhodzic took things in hand by quickly launching Selim Amallah (31st) then Aymen Barkok and Sofiane Boufal (57th). The Angevin immediately brought percussion and caused a penalty which he himself transformed (1-1, 74th).

The Moroccan defense however still showed signs of fragility and Rennais Nayef Aguerd clumsily restored the advantage to Gabon by pushing the ball into the cage of Munir Mohamedi (2-1, 81st). The Parisian Achraf Hakimi, he distinguished himself favorably by quickly equalizing on a free kick on the right side sent into the opposite corner of the uninspired Jean-Noël Amonome (2-2, 84th). Feverish until the end against incisive Gabonese, Morocco obtained a draw which allowed them to finish at the top of the group. Gabon also qualifies and will meet Burkina Faso in the round of 16.