Good afternoon and welcome to the live text commentary of the game between Ghana and Congo today.
Ghana is taking on Congo in the first Group A match of the 2023 CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The match is set to take place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Despite arriving in camp just a day before the match and having a single training session with the team, FC Nordsjaelland forward Ernest Nuamah has been given a starting role.
In goal, Ibrahim Danlad, who was the preferred choice during the qualifiers, gets the nod ahead of Jordan Amissah and Dari Aziz Haruna.
The defensive line will be manned by Aaron Essel, David Oppong, Terry Yegbe, and Edmond Arko Mensah.
The midfield trio consists of Dominic Nsobila, Emmanuel Essiam, and Sylvester Simba, who will be tasked with controlling the game and providing creative sparks for the team.
Leading the attacking line will be Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, and the recently arrived Ernest Nuamah.
🇬🇭 Ghana 🆚 Congo 🇨🇬
We have the lineups for the second group A match! 📋✅#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 | #GHACGO pic.twitter.com/dDUsZAQe7m
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 🏆 (@CAF_Online) June 25, 2023
The two national teams are out on the pitch for the warmup session.
Warm-up is done, we are now just 10 minutes away from kick-off.
Kick off:
1' We are off with Congo kicking off the game. Who will get the first goal?
5' A good start to the game by both national teams. Players are yet to get into their groove though.
10' Ghana enjoying good possession but Congo is so far organised and playing well.
13' Ernest Nuamah has been a joy to watch when he is on his charge. Ghana needs to get the ball to him more.
16' Congo with a fine opportunity but the final effort is saved by Black Meteors goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
21' Ghana 0-0 Congo
25' Still, there has been no proper chance created by Ghana. The players must up their game.
30' We have done half an hour. Still no goal at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
⏱️ 30’ - Half an hour gone at the Prince Abdellah Stadium, fairly balanced game.
🇬🇭 Ghana U23 0️⃣-0️⃣ Congo U23 🇨🇬#BlackMeteors | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/EtyXQmQk6i
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) June 25, 2023
33' Congo has been dangerous anytime the team comes forward.
38' Chance for Congo!! Danlad Ibrahim forced to make a smart save to keep Ghana in the game. Congo once again coming close to scoring.
40' We are into the last five minutes of the first half.
45' We will do just two minutes of injury time.
Halftime: Ghana 0-0 Congo
⏸ 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗙 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 - It's goalless at the break.
🇬🇭 Ghana U23 0️⃣-0️⃣ Congo U23 🇨🇬#BlackMeteors | #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/PB5xWVriTA
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) June 25, 2023
Second half
46' Ghana coach Ibrahim Tanko makes two changes. Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is one of the players substituted. He is replaced by Emmanuel Yeboah. Sylvester Simba has also been taken out.
48' Just like the first half, the second half is also being played at a calm pace.
49' Goal!!!!! Ernest Numah scores with a tap-in at the back post. Great work from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku to play a through ball to Emmanuel Yeboah. The CFR Cluj man lays the ball perfectly for Nuamah whose job is a simple tap-in to give Ghana the lead.
52' Ghana now in control of the contest. Ghana Congo fight back?
55' Congo has now come into the game strongly. They could score if they continue to mount the pressure on the Black Meteors.
60' We have done an hour of this contest. Ghana 1-0 Congo.
63' Abdul Fatawu Issahaku with an audacious strike. His effort from centre hits the woodwork unluckily. Congo saved there.
65' The game has closed up now. Ghana not willing to give Congo any chance.
70' Great play from the attack of the Black Meteors but the defense of Congo stands strong.
74' GOAL!!!!!! It's the substitute again. Emmanuel Yeboah gets behind the Congo defense and a shot that hits the back of the net. Ghana 2-0 Congo.
78' It's getting worse for Congo. Penalty to Ghana.
80' Edmund Arko Mensah steps up to take and wastes the chance.
81' Wait. The penalty will be retaken. Arko Mensah wants to still take it. He wastes it for the second time.
82' What drama. The penalty will be retaken. This time Emmanuel Yeboah will take it. He calmly slots it in. Ghana 3-0 Congo.
85' We are into the final five minutes of the game.
90' The four referee has signalled that there will be seven minutes of additional time.
90+2 Congo pulls one back two minutes into injury time.
90+3 They have another one. Congo gets a second. What a game. The defense of Ghana has been caught in sixes and sevens.
Full time: It's all over here in Rabat, Ghana holds on to beat Congo 3-2. What a game!!!