Ghana Black Meteors won their first AFCON U23 game by beating Congo Brazzaville 3-2 thanks to a brace from Emmanuel Yeboah who came off the bench.
In a thrilling Group A encounter in Rabat, the Black Meteors emerged victorious, although they faced tough moments in the final minutes when Congo staged an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit .
After a scoreless first half where both teams showed resilience, Ghana returned to the pitch with an insatiable thirst for goals at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
Ghana head coach Ibrahim Tanko breathed new energy into the team by introducing Emmanuel Yeboah and Hafiz Ibrahim, replacing Afriyie Barnieh and Sylvester Simba respectively, and their impact was instantaneous.
Just five minutes after Ernest Nuamah put Ghana ahead with a single touch from Emmanuel Yeboah’s well-executed cross from the right wing, the Ghanaian side continued to surge forward in search of new goals. .
However, Congolese Borel Tomandzoto caused problems for the Ghanaian defense by dribbling past a defender but his shot did not find the target.
Read more : AFCON U23 – Ghana vs Congo Brazzaville line-ups
Nevertheless, in the 75th minute, Emmanuel Yeboah etched his name on the scoresheet as he edged past a defender on the left wing and unleashed a well-placed low shot that left the Congolese keeper beaten.
The Black Meteors continued relentlessly, and their efforts paid off when Congolese Djigo Saikou fouled in the box, leading to the referee awarding a penalty after 83 minutes.
Yeboah confidently converted the penalty, extending Ghana’s lead to 3-0. However, the referee ordered a replay after Congolese goalkeeper, Dhody Bissila moved before the ball was kicked in, nullifying Yeboah’s successful attempt. Bissila received a warning for his premature actions.
In the third minute of added time, Congo managed to save a goal when substitute Reich Kokolo deftly headed a well-executed free kick. A minute later, Yann Kouori-Ngatse took advantage of Ghana’s defensive gaps to score Congo’s second goal.
In addition, Ghana will face off with host Morocco in their next match while Congo will take on Guinea.