Cape Verde beat Ghana 2-1 in the final minutes in Abidjan on Sunday January 14 to top Group B of the African Cup ahead of Egypt and Mozambique, who drew 2-2 earlier.
The Cape Verdeans scored the winner in the 90th+2nd minute through Garry Rodrigues. The Ankaragücü striker took advantage of a poor save by goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who had made several decisive saves during the match.
The “Tubaroes Azuis” (Blue Sharks) deserved their victory, having dominated the entire match. They opened the scoring through Jamiro Monteiro (17), confirming their good start to the match.
The “Black Stars” equalized with a deft header from Alexander Djiku (56), who like Ofori saved several dangerous situations in front of goal.
Andre Ayew’s team-mates, who came on as a late substitute, had already suffered a defeat at the CAN in the final minutes, losing 3-2 to the Comoros in their final group match two years ago, when they were eliminated in the first round.
However, Ayew is approaching the record for games played at the CAN with his 35th appearance, just one behind former Cameroon captain Rigobert Song, now coach of the “Indomitable Lions”.
In the next match, group favorites Ghana and Egypt go head-to-head on Thursday.