2023 AFCON: Mozambique v Ghana preview

Andre Ayew of Ghana prepares to take a penalty kick during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group H soccer match between Ghana and Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, 02 December 2022. EPA/Mohamed Messara

by Staff Reporter

Sunday Jan 21, 2024. 16:11

The final round of matches in Group B at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations sees Mozambique take on Ghana in a crunch clash at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

Date: Monday, 22 January 2024

Kick-off: 22h00 CAT

Head-to-head: The two teams have never met before at the continental showpiece, although they were drawn together during the qualifiers for the 2017 edition and Ghana emerged from their two matches unbeaten, winning 3-1 in Accra on 24 March 2016 before being held to a 0-0 draw in Maputo three days later.

Mozambique’s last three results: The Mambas concluded their preparations for the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Botswana on January 8 and they almost stunned Egypt in their group opener after Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw. However, a 3-0 defeat to Cape Verde on January 19 has left their AFCON hopes hanging by a thread.

Ghana’s last three results: Chris Hughton’s side warmed up for the African spectacle by playing out to a disappointing 0-0 draw with Namibia on January 8 and their campaign in Ivory Coast got off to a poor start after losing 2-1 to the Blue Sharks on January 14. They too need a win in the final round of the group stages to keep their dream alive after picking up a point in a 2-2 draw with the Pharaohs on January 18.

Team news: Both coaches have a clean bill of health after Mohammed Kudus showed no ill effects of the injury that kept him out of the Black Stars’ opener against Cape Verde as he played the entire 90 minutes in the stalemate with Egypt.

Key player – Mozambique: Witi already has one goal to his name in the tournament after scoring the equaliser against the Pharaohs with a powerful header in the 55th minute. The 27-year-old striker failed to make an impact against the Shark Sharks though, and was hauled off at half-time.

Key player – Ghana: Mohammed Kudus starred in the draw with the seven-time African champions, having opened the scoring with a rocket on the stroke of half-time before restoring Ghana’s lead in the 71st minute. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will be hungry for more goals against a team that has conceded the second-most in the group stages with five.