Gabon got off their second group c game to an attacking start against the Black Stars of Ghana on Friday at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.
Gabon 1-1Ghana: Panthers shock Black Stars in second Group C
A first half torment by the Panthers nearly caught the Black Stars on the wrong side but Daniel Amartey was on hand to clear the lines for Ghana on the 3rd minute.
The Ghanaian defence were at sixes and sevens when Gabon came attacking with a well floated free kick on the 6th minutes. Denis Bouanga will however have his shot blocked by Leicester City man, Daniel Amartey to keep Ghana in the game.
Ghana’s first important attack came in the 15th minute when a Jordan Ayew cross was parried away by Gabon goalkeeper, Jean Amonome.
The Black Stars of Ghana opened the scoring on the 18th minute when captain, Andre Ayew made a beautiful turn in front of Bruno Manga after a well laid out pass from Thomas Partey to strike home the first goal. The goal is Andre Ayew’s 10th for the national team.
Ghana came close ones more with Kamaldeen Sulemana’s cross but the Gabonese defence will clear their lines on the 28th minute.
The Panthers quickly turned defence into attack which nearly fetched them the equalizer but Daniel Amartey came to the rescue of the Black Stars on the 29th minute. Gabon midfielder, Guelor Kanga was shown a yellow card after a cynical tackle on Ghana striker, Jordan Ayew on the 43rd minutes. Lahlou Benbraham whistled for the end of the first half with no more chances created.
Gabon began the second half with a dangerous cross by Johann Obiang but Alexander Djiku headed out for a corner kick which was wasted by the Panthers on the 49th minute. Gabon came close to finding the net on the 59th minute but goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott stopped striker, Jim Allevina from scoring.
The Panthers had the best chance of the game on the 61st minute but Baba Rahman headed the ball out for a corner kick.
Baba Iddrisu played his last minute after limping off injured on the 63rd minute. His place was taken by winger, Joseph Paintsil. Guelor Kanga tested Joseph Wollacott with on the 70th minute with a long range effort but it was too feeble to trouble the Swindon Town goalkeeper.
Jordan Ayew was on with a well struck free kick after Andre Ayew had been fouled but the strike went just inches over the bar on the 79th minute. Aaron Boupendza nearly found the equalizer on the 85th minute but the striker’s efforts hit the side net.
Gabon found the equalizer on the 82nd minute with a well taken strike by substitute, Jim Allevinah with an assist from Guelor Kanga. The game ended with spoils shared at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
