Gabon 1-1 Ghana: Jim Allevinah’s late equaliser rescues a point for the Panthers to leave Black Stars, who led through Andre Ayew’s stunner, one more slip-up away from exiting AFCON at the group stages
- Ghana slipped up at the Africa Cup of Nations again with a 1-1 draw with Gabon
- Andre Ayew gave the Black Stars the lead with a rasping early effort from range
- But Gabon substitute Jim Allevinah frustrated Ghana by grabbing late equaliser
- Gabon look all set for the knockouts, while Ghana need to beat Comoros next
Ghana are one more slip-up away from a group stage exit in the Africa Cup of Nations after they were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Gabon thanks to Jim Allevinah’s late equaliser.
The Black Stars, who lost 1-0 to Morocco in their opening match on Monday failed to win for a second successive AFCON group stage despite leading through Andre Ayew’s opener for most of the game.
In the first-half, Ayew picked up Thomas Partey’s fierce pass around 30 yards from goal, spun his man with ease before rasping a shot past the Gabon goalkeeper in what looked like it was the winner.
Jim Allevinah scored a late equaliser for Gabon who got a 1-1 draw against Ghana at AFCON
The Black Stars were left frustrated having led through Andre Ayew’s (right) first-half opener
But Gabon, who were without captain and talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang one again due to heart concerns, gained a shock equaliser when substitute Allevinah hit a fierce left-footed effort into the bottom corner to spark wild Gabon celebrations.
Ghana’s frustrations were summed up when most players were involved in a post-full-time scuffle, which led to substitute Benjamin Tetteh being sent off for throwing a punch.
The Black Stars threw away two points against a Gabon side who barely threatened for most of the game.
Defender Bruno Ecuele Manga had a first-half effort blocked well from close range, while Ghana goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott saved well at the feet of opposition striker Aaron Boupendza after half-time.
Ayew hit a brilliant 25-yard hit to finally get the Black Stars up and running in the tournament
But Allevinah scored as the clock ticked into the 90 to surely book Gabon’s knockout spot
At the other end, Jordan Ayew came close to doubling Ghana’s lead but his free-kick went inches over the Gabon crossbar. The Black Stars appeared happy to settle on the one-goal lead to pick up their first points of the competition.
But Allevinah made them rue that complacency by settling just as the clock was ticking into the 90-minute mark as the Panthers look in a very good place to reach the knockout rounds.
Ghana must beat Comoros in their final group game next week and hope they are one of the best third-placed teams who sneak into the latter rounds. Gabon, meanwhile, have four points which should be enough to reach the knockouts.