CAPE Verde caused the first major shock of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire (AFCON 2023) tonight with a 2-1 win over Ghana in Abidjan.
Meanwhile, Egypt barely escaped the same fate as Ghana by earning a 2-2 draw courtesy of a stoppage time penalty by Mohamed Salah.
In the final match of tonight at the tournament, the Black Stars were dimmed after Garry Rodrigues tapped into an empty net in added-on time.
Jamiro Montero had shot the underdogs from Cape Verde ahead in the 17th minute when he slotted home from the rebound after Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori had made an initial save.
Four-time AFCON champions Ghana pulled level 11 minutes into the second half as Alexander Djiku headed home from a corner.
A Ghana goal in the first half had been disallowed after a VAR review when it was discovered that the Cape Verde goalkeeper’s line of vision was blocked by a player who was standing offside, and the Black Stars were relieved to be finally level.
Cape Verde, who had more possession and more shots on target than their much more accomplished opponents, got the winning goal they deserved one minute into stoppage time when hesitant defending led the ball into Rodrigues’ path to tap home.
In the same Group B earlier in the day, seven-time champions Egypt scored first through Mostafa Mohamed just two minutes in.
Mozambique then responded with two quick strikes in the 55th and 58th minutes through Witiness Quembo and Clesio Bauque before Liverpool superstar Salah rescued Egypt from the penalty spot in the seventh minute of added time.
Cape Verde rose to the top of Group B with their win, while Egypt and Mozambique are joint-second, and Ghana bottom.
PHOTO: Cape Verde celebrating their victory over Ghana.
