Ghana and libya in a thrilling draw in mangaung

Ghana and Libya played out a 1-1 draw in group C of the Orange 2014 Africa Nations Championship. In a game that befitted the cliché, a game of two halves, the first half belonged to Ghana while Libya controlled the second. An early powerful header from the edge of the six yard box by Yahaya Mohamed opened the scoring after only six (6) minutes on the clock but Libya hit back from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute through Fasail Ali. The draw leaves both teams on four (4) points with Libya in first position by virtue of more goals scored.

The pulsating match played at Free State Stadium in Mangaung got off to a pacey start with Ghana taking game to Libya. It would be a reversal of fortunes in the second with Libya having the lion’s share of possession in the second and putting Black Stars under scrutiny Both sides came into the game on back of first game wins and aware that victory would put them within touching distance of a quarter final place.

Theophilus Abobaah scorer of Ghana’s goal in last match started the move releasing Joshua Tijani on the left flank. The latter provider a cross from Yahaya timed his movement to beat the Libyan defenders to the ball and connected with a bullet header that sailed past Mohamed Abdaula in Libyan goal. It was the encouragement the Black Stars needed and they were soon suffocating the Libyan flowing game witnessed in the first match. The goal worked wonders for Yahaya who was soon tormenting Libyan defence at will. On 22nd minute the dreadlocked striker shock off his marker, Ahmed El Trbi before hitting a low shot that went mere centimeters wide of goal. A contest between the two developed with El Trbi teaming up with captain Ali Salama to stop the marauding Yahaya Despite the twin attention Yahaya almost got his second goal with another header but it was on 42nd minute that he laid claim to man of the match with a fantastic control and turn that beat two defenders but he then shot weakly and straight at the keeper who stopped it.

Earlier, Libya having recovered from conceding the early Yahaya goal opted for long balls into Ghana half which were initially dealt with by Kwabena Adusei and Tijani before Mohamed Ghanudi and Elmutasem Abushnaf turned the tables on as Libya begun dominating possession. Ghana goalkeeper Stephen Adams twice spilled innocuous shots and on 29th minute Libya’s Ghanudi failed to take advantage from meters out and Ghana cleared the danger.

Libya returned from the break more purposeful and were soon camped in the Ghanaian half attacking the goal mercilessly. Abushnaf found himself is similar position from which Yahaya scored from but he directed his header into the arms of Adams as Libyan got close to an equalizer. A couple of penalty appeals from Libya did not go their way but when Nuru Sulley held back substitute Muataz Fadel Houssein just inside the box the Mediterranean Knights were awarded a spot kick. Up stepped Faisal Ali to convert sending Adams the wrong way. There were further close shaves from both sides in the dying minutes but referee Victor Gomes who started the match as fourth official but replaced injured Redouane Jiyed midway into the second brought the thrilling match to and end with the sides still deadlocked .

Confederation of African Football News