The Black Meteors, Ghana’s national U-23 team, said goodbye to the CAF U-23 AFCON competition on Friday night after a 1-1 draw with Guinea at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangiers, Morocco.
Guinea entered the game comfortably leading Group A, trailing the group’s top team, Morocco, and knowing that a draw would guarantee their advancement based on goal differential.
But against all odds, the Ghanaians scored the game’s opening goal in the 33rd minute, going against the game’s momentum.
The CFR Cluj forward Emmanuel Yeboah skillfully converted from the penalty spot after being expertly set up by Fatawu Issahaku.
The Ghanaians held on until halftime despite Guinea’s continued dominance in possession.
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After the game resumed, Meteors coach Ibrahim Tanko was forced to make a change, bringing in the nimble winger Ernest Appiah Nuamah to replace Yeboah, who had made a significant impact with three goals and an assist in the competition.
When Guinea’s captain, Ibrahima Breze Fofana, unleashed a powerful long-range shot past Ghana’s goalkeeper, Ibrahim Danlad, in the 60th minute, the team from Ghana, which was struggling to keep possession, found themselves pushed back.
Nuamah had Ghana’s best chance to go in front in the second half in the 78th minute, but Mory Keita of Guinea stopped his angled shot.
With several players collapsing onto the field at full-time, the outcome of the game ended the Meteors’ chances of qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Paris the following year.
It’s important to note that since 2004, Ghana hasn’t advanced to the Olympic football tournament.
