Ghana's dream of making it to 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games hangs in the balance after losing to Cote d'Ivoire
The chances of the Black Meteors of Ghana qualifying to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games is now hanging in the balance following the team’s loss to Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-finals of the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
In a semi-final clash at the Cairo International Stadium this afternoon, Ghana needed to beat the Ivorians to secure automatic qualification to the next Olympic Games but failed to get the job done.
A pulsating encounter after 90 minutes ended 2-2 with striker Youssouf Dao netting a brace for Cote d’Ivoire as Yaw Yeboah and Evans Mensah got the goals for the Ghana team.
The match proceeded to extra time but both sides failed to grab what would have been a winning goal.
The game headed to penalties with Cote d’Ivoire emerging as 3-2 winners as they secure the right to feature in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Ghana on the other hands will have to wait and win a 3rd place match at the U-23 AFCON to have any chances of making it to the next Olympic Games.
After winning the 3rd place match, the side will meet with a qualified side from Asia to battle for one of the qualifying spots to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.