Eagles soar past Black Stars in Ismailia

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jul 09, 2019. 00:15

Tunisia will face Madagascar for a place in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals following a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Ghana at Ismailia Stadium in Ismailia on Monday evening.

The game ended at 1-1 after 120 minutes of football, resulting in a dreaded shootout to decide the outcome.

Tunisia were faultless from the spot, sinking all five of their attempts while Caleb Ekuban missed the decisive kick for the Black Stars as they crashed out of the showpiece, brining an end to six consecutive semifinal appearances at Afcon tournaments.

Ghana dominated the first half and had the ball in the back of the net through Andre Ayew in the 41st minute. His attempt, though, would be chalked off by referee Victor Gomes for an infringement during the build-up.

The Eagles of Carthage improved following the break and duly opened the scoring in the 73rd minute. Yassine Khenissi rattled the crossbar moments before firing home past Richard Ofori who could do little to stop the forward from driving the ball home following a pin-point cross by Wajdi Kechrida.

Ghana troubled the woodwork for the second time in the match soon after as Mubarak Wakaso's long range shot clipped the outside of the post.

The Black Stars luck, though, changed as Rami Bedoui nodded the ball into the back of his own net with one of the fastest own goal's in history, to send the game into an additional 30 minutes.

No goals would follow in extra-time and while Tunisia scored all five of their spot-kicks, Ekuban had his penalty saved by Farouk Ben Mustapha who came on as a 121st minutes substitute for Mouez Hassen.

The decision paid off for head coach Alain Giresse as Ferjani Sassi netted the game winner to set up a clash against Madagascar in Cairo on Thursday.

Ghana (0) 1 (Bedoui og. 90+1')
Tunisia (0) 1 (Khenissi 73')

Tunisia won 5-4 on penalties.

Ghana: Ofori; Rahman (Agbenyenu 117'), Kasim, Boye, Yiadom, Partey, Acquah (Ekuban 75'), Mubarak, Owusu (Kwabena 107'), A.Ayew (Gyan 84'), J.Ayew.

Tunisia: Hassen (Ben Mustapha 121'); Kechrida, Bronn, Meriah, Hadadi, Msakni (Sliti 83'), Badri (Khazri 68'), Khenissi (Bedoui 90'), Sassi, Skhiri, Chaaleli.