CAR show character against Ghana

Mohamed Kudus of Ghana celebrates goal with teammates

Sunday Jun 05, 2022. 19:04

Central African Republic (CAR) fought back to hold Ghana to a 1-1 draw in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group E match at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Angola on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, CAR’s Wild Beasts remained third in the Group E standings with two matches played, while the Black Stars of Ghana remained at the top of the standings with four points.

The Black Stars attackers were creating problems for the Wild Beasts’ defence with their brilliant combination play involving Mohammed Kudus, Felix Afena-Gyan, Osman Bukari and Joseph Paintsil.

Ghana took a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute after a good move which saw Bukari set up Kudus, who then scored with a curling shot that beat goalkeeper Alladoum Kolimba at the far post.

However, CAR pushed for the equalising goal and they got it in the 41st minute when Brad Pirioua sent Karl Namnganda through on goal and the France-based striker scored to make it 1-1 heading into the half-time break.

The Wild Beasts played with a lot of confidence after the restart as they looked to take the lead for the first time with Thibault Ban’s powerful cross-come-shot hitting the side-netting much to the relief of the Black Stars.

The match had to be stopped and play delayed after Gideon Mensah had sustained a head injury, and the Ghanaian defender was rushed to the hospital with Abdul Fatawu replacing the FC Girondins de Bordeaux star.

The encounter was blighted by Mensah’s serious injury with the two teams giving away possessions cheaply in the final third and ultimately, the first-ever meeting between CAR and Ghana ended in a 1-1 draw.

CAR (1) 1 (Namnganda 41′)

Ghana (1) 1 (Kudus 17′)

CAR: Kolimba, Ndobé, Ban, Yangao, Guinari (Niamathe 63′), Youmbi, Pirioua, Nlend, Manzoki (M’Vondo 89′), Namnganda, Ouatching (Guesset-Bangagbi 83′).

Ghana: Ati-Zigi, Yiadom, G. Mensah, Amartey, J. Mensah (Fatawu 63′), E. Addo, Kudus, Kyereh (A, Ayew 89′), Bukari (Baba 63′), Paintsil (Sulemana 63′), Afena-Gyan (Wriedt 86′).