TotalEnergies U23 AFCON: Ghana Beat Congo In An Exciting Game

In their 2023 TotalEnergies U23 African Cup of Nations opener against Congo on Sunday, June 25 in Morocco, the Black Meteors of Ghana prevailed 3-2.

After a scoreless first half, Coach Ibrahim Tanko’s team scored three goals in the second half thanks to his substitutions, but Congo came back to score two late goals before the final whistle.

After latching onto Emmanuel Yeboah’s pass five minutes into the second half, Ghana’s Ernest Nuamah scored the opening goal.

Yeboah scored a goal in the 76th minute to double Ghana’s lead after a few beautiful attacks.

Yeboah scored from the penalty spot to complete his brace in the 83rd minute.

However, Congo gave a strong performance and scored one minute into extra time.

The Congolese then scored their second goal of the game by taking advantage of yet another defensive oversight.

But Ghana maintained their narrowed lead and prevailed in their first group match.

Ghana were punished right away when the Congolese team scored two goals in an effort to equalize before the final whistle.

Black Meteors’ coach, Ibrahim Tanko, expressed his dissatisfaction with his team’s performance in the game’s final minutes afterward. He said that his team’s lack of focus was to blame for the two-goal equalizer in just 60 seconds.

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Meanwhile, the victory over the Congolese team earned Ghana’s Emmanuel Yeboah the Man of the Match award.

In the second half of the Group A match that took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, Yeboah contributed two goals and one assist.

Yeboah’s energetic performance in the second half was crucial to Ghana’s narrow victory.

He thanked his teammates for their support and credited his performance to hard work after receiving his Man of the Match trophy from the competition’s organizers.

He stated at the pre-game press conference,

“I achieved this by handwork and I want to thank my teammates for the support that gave me on the pitch”

With three points, the Black Meteors lead Group A, just like their next opponent, Morocco, who beat Guinea 2-1 on Saturday.

They will face host Morocco in the second Group A match on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.