Gabon Earns Vital Draw Against Ghana
A late Ngowet Allevinah equaliser earned Gabon a vital 1-1 draw against Ghana in Group C of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The Black Stars came into the match on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat to Morocco, while Gabon were without talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Captain Andre Ayew gave Ghana the lead with a neat finish in the 19th minute to revive its hopes of progressing to the knockout stage. With his back towards goal, Ayew cleverly turned away from Gabon’s Anthony Henri to fire past goalkeeper Jean Noel Amonome.
The Panthers came back strong as Kaku found space on the wide area, firing a fierce cross that was cleared by the outstanding Amartey. Ayew then headed wide of the goal, while Bouanga tried to surprise Luke Wollacut from a set-piece three minutes before the break.
Gabon started the second half better with several openings against the Ghanaians who tried to keep possession.
However, the Panthers left it late to draw level through substitute Ngowet Allevinah in the closing minutes. He fired a brilliant low shot past the goalkeeper to equalise, boosting their chances of a last 16 place.
“We did not play well in the first half, like the first game,” Gabon coach Patrice Neveu said. “In the second half we were more offensive, and we trusted ourselves. I think the draw is a fair result. We missed many players, but Ghana didn’t dominate us.”
Ghana would be eager to play Comoros in the next game, as Gabon would facing a resilient Morocco side in the next match.
“I hope we win the next game against Comoros; four points will be enough to move on,” Man of the Match Ayew said after the game. “We are Ghana and we will win the next game, God willing.”
Results
Chidi Nwoke/CAF.
