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Football

18th Jan 2022

AFCON debutants Comoros eliminate four-time winners Ghana in five-goal thriller

Callum Boyle

A historic night for Comoros

Comoros created history on Tuesday night as they secured their first-ever win in the Africa Cup of Nations to knock out four-time winners Ghana in a five-goal thriller.

It was a night of firsts for the island nation as they kicked off proceedings by scoring their first ever goal at an AFCON tournament as El Fardou Mohamed Ben Nabouhane put them ahead just four minutes into the game.

Ghana’s first-half woes then continued as they were reduced to 10-men after captain André Ayew was shown a controversial red card following a challenge on goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina.

Ahmed Mogni then doubled Comoros’ lead shortly after the hour-mark, biding his time on the edge of the box before unleashing a rifled effort into the bottom corner.

Ghana however then began their fightback just three minutes later after substitute Richmond Boakye capitalised on some poor goalkeeping from Ali Ahamada to send a looping header into the net.

The Black Stars then completed their comeback as centre-back Alexander Djiku tapped home from close range from a flick-on to level up the score.

But as Ghana pushed for a third goal, which would have secured their passage to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, Comoros had other ideas.

The ten men of Ghana continued to push forward, allowing the minnows to counter-attack. Mogni was on hand once again to fire home in the box and restore Comoros’ lead.

Despite their efforts to peg Comoros back again, Ghana were unable to find a third and suffered an embarrassing defeat to finish bottom of Group C.

Comoros meanwhile will face a nervy wait to see if they will qualify as one of the best-third placed nations in the tournament.

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