Gabon grab late equaliser against Ghana

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Gabon scored a controversial late goal against Ghana to draw their Africa Cup of Nations Group C match 1-1.

The result puts Gabon, missing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with 'heart lesions', on the verge of the last 16.

Andre Ayew had put Ghana in front in the 18th minute, but his strike was cancelled out by Jim Allevinah's 88th-minute equaliser.

Ghana, now facing a nervous final game, were angry Gabon failed to return the ball after an injury to their player.

Daniel-Kofi Kyere had gone down following a challenge inside the Gabon half but, from the resulting throw-in, Guelor Kanga played the ball to Allevinah, who struck a low left-footed shot across Jojo Wollacott and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Ayew protested to referee Lahlou Benbraham about the goal to no avail and scuffles broke out when Gabon celebrated at full-time.

Ghana substitute Benjamin Tetteh was shown a red card after the final whistle for his part in the on-pitch melee.

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Scrappy game leaves Ghana needing final-game victory

Ghana were under pressure in the opening moments of the game, with Swindon Town keeper Wollacott and his defenders struggling with communication, but the Black Stars grabbed the lead when Ayew put them in front with a magnificent strike.

Receiving the ball well outside the area, he controlled it, made space and fired home for his 10th goal at Nations Cup finals.

Ayew, sporting a prominent dressing over his left eye from the head injury he suffered in his side's defeat by Morocco, celebrated almost angrily as he tried to inspire his team-mates.

After their opening flurry, the Panthers rarely created much until almost an hour played, when Wollacott made a smart save to deny Allevinah, who was inches short of poking home.

The game barely flowed and neither side was able to take a grip, but it was played in a lively atmosphere in Yaounde with fans of both teams making themselves heard.

Gabon striker Aaron Boupendza, scorer of their winner against Comoros, had a couple of shots blocked.

The Panthers need a point to reach the last 16 when they face Morocco in their final group match on Tuesday while Ghana will take on winless Comoros, needing victory to remain in with a chance of progressing.

    Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
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Line-upsGabon

Formation 3-4-1-2

1Amonome3Oyono5Ecuele Manga25Assoumou14Ameka17Biyogo Poko19Martinsson-Ngouali6Obiang12Kanga7Boupendza20Bouanga

    1Amonome3OyonoBooked at 57mins5Ecuele MangaBooked at 24mins25Assoumou14AmekaSubstituted forMoucketou-Moussoundaat 76'minutes17Biyogo Poko19Martinsson-NgoualiSubstituted forEneme-Ellaat 67'minutes6Obiang12KangaBooked at 45mins7Boupendza20BouangaSubstituted forAllevinahat 53'minutes

Substitutes

    2Moucketou-Moussounda11Allevinah15Eneme-Ella16Mfa Mezui21Noubi Fotso22Ndzengue23Nzé24Sambissa26Biteghé28N’Gakoutou-Yapende

Ghana

Formation 4-3-3

16Wollacott2Yiadom18Amartey23Djiku17Baba5Partey21Baba8Kyereh9J Ayew10A Ayew22Sulemana

    16WollacottBooked at 81mins2Yiadom18Amartey23Djiku17Baba5ParteyBooked at 36mins21BabaSubstituted forPaintsilat 65'minutesBooked at 90mins8KyerehBooked at 59mins9J AyewSubstituted forIssahakuat 90+1'minutes10A AyewSubstituted forTettehat 90+1'minutesBooked at 90mins22SulemanaSubstituted forAddoat 61'minutes

Substitutes

    1Nurudeen3Baffour4Mensah6Addo7Issahaku12Ati Zigi13Boakye14Mensah15Paintsil19Owusu25Tetteh26Mumin

Referee:Lahlou BenbrahamMatch StatsHome TeamGabonAway TeamGhanaPossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome14Away6Shots on TargetHome3Away1CornersHome5Away3FoulsHome30Away21Live TextPost update

Match ends, Gabon 1, Ghana 1.

90'+4'Dismissal

Benjamin Tetteh (Ghana) is shown the red card for violent conduct.

90'+4'Booking

Joseph Paintsil (Ghana) is shown the yellow card.

90'+4'Full Time

Second Half ends, Gabon 1, Ghana 1.

90'+3'Post update

Hand ball by Joseph Paintsil (Ghana).

90'+2'Post update

Attempt missed. Thomas Partey (Ghana) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Abdul Fatawu Issahaku with a cross following a corner.

90'+2'Post update

Corner, Ghana. Conceded by Bruno Ecuele Manga.

90'+1'Substitution

Substitution, Ghana. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku replaces Jordan Ayew.

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90'+1'Substitution

Substitution, Ghana. Benjamin Tetteh replaces André Ayew.

90'Post update

Joseph Paintsil (Ghana) wins a free kick on the left wing.

90'Post update

Foul by Anthony Oyono (Gabon).

88'goalGoal!

Goal! Gabon 1, Ghana 1. Jim Allevinah (Gabon) left footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Guélor Kanga.

86'Post update

Jordan Ayew (Ghana) wins a free kick on the right wing.

86'Post update

Foul by André Biyogo Poko (Gabon).

86'Post update

Foul by Edmund Addo (Ghana).

86'Post update

Johann Obiang (Gabon) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

85'Post update

Attempt missed. Aaron Salem Boupendza (Gabon) left footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jim Allevinah.

84'Post update

Alexander Djiku (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

84'Post update

Foul by Ulrick Eneme-Ella (Gabon).

83'Post update

Thomas Partey (Ghana) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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Source: bbc.com