YAOUNDE (Reuters) -Ghana needed to accept a 1-1 draw as Gabon struck two minutes from time by means of Jim Allevinah to place the Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign of the four-time champions in peril after a bad-tempered conflict on Friday.
Ghana’s captain Andre Ayew blasted house an outstanding left-foot shot for an 18th minute lead however the consequence leaves them with one level from two Group C matches and in hazard of elimination if they don’t win their final recreation towards Comoros subsequent Tuesday.
A testy encounter ended in scuffles and a pink card for Ghana’s Benjamin Tetteh for his half in the post-match punch up.
Gabon weren’t allowed to discipline captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who though out of COVID-19 isolation was not allowed to play by the Confederation of African Football.
“According to the CAF medical commission, the players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Axel Meye and Mario Lemina, barely out of COVID isolation, cannot take part in this match.
“Medical examinations show cardiac lesions and CAF did not want to take any risks,” the Gabon Football Federation tweeted https://twitter.com/fegafoot_gabon/standing/1482058220382429187?s=20.
Ghana, who received the final of their Cup of Nations titles 40 years in the past, had misplaced their opener to Morocco and wanted victory to place themselves again in competition for a second spherical place.
They bought off to a vibrant begin as Ayew turned his marker after which hit a bullet to interrupt the impasse after 18 minutes.
But regardless of going through little menace from Gabon all recreation, they let it slip as substitute Allevinah caught them chilly in the 88th minute with an angled left foot end.
The match delivered few possibilities with far too many crunching tackles and the unhealthy blood between the groups continued after the ultimate whistle with an unsavoury punch-up.
The referee brandished a pink card afterwards trying to discover Tetteh however the participant had already fled to the altering rooms after throwing a punch in the fracas.
Morocco had earlier crushed Comoros Islands nL1N2TU203 2-0 to win the primary of the double header at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium and so they head the group standings with six factors.
Gabon are actually second on 4 whereas Ghana reamin on one and the Comoros have but to get off the mark.
Gabon will not be assured a top-two end however 4 factors ought to be sufficient to make sure they attain the final 16, if not in the highest two then as one of many 4 greatest third-placed finishers.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)
