Undoubtedly, it is safe to say this is an AFCON with loads of Surprises as West African heavyweight Ghana lost to Cape Verde in their opening group Game.
It was indeed a nightmare for the Black Stars of Ghana who were outplayed by their counterpart from Cape Verde, and the Final Score did show that the better team won on the night.
The Black Stars would’ve hoped for a better result preferably the maximum three point, but it wasn’t just their night as their star fail to shine against the Black Sharks of Cape Verde.
However, it was Cape Verde who broke the deadlock in the first half through a goal by Jamiro Monteiro, before Fenerbache’s Defender Alexander Djiku equalized for the Black stars.
Alas! in the 92nd minutes, it was the Black Sharks of Cape Verde that had the final laugh when Benchimol set up Garry Rodriguez who guided the ball into an empty net to give Cape Verde their first victory at the on going Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Result completed the round of action in matchday one in Group B, leaving Cape Verde top of the table with 3 points while Ghana sits last on the log.
Up next for the Black Stars is a face off with the Pharaohs of Egypt on thursday, who earlier salvaged a dramatic draw courtesy of a Mohammed Salah’s Penalty against Mozambique to as well avoid defeat.
The Black Stars of Ghana will be hoping for a better result against the Egyptians to boost their chances of progression into the next round at the on going AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast. Can they leave the defeat behind them and get a win against the Egyptians with their talisman Mohammed Salah to deal with? Knowing fully well that a defeat in the upcoming feature would leave them begging for a miracle to progress out of the group.
Who will emerge as group leaders and who will bow out of the group? Well the next round of matches in group B, will provide a better clue! Until then, we keep our fingers crossed and follow the advent of things as they unfold in Ivory Coast.
