AFCON: Ghana held by Benin in AFCON Opener

A late second-half goal from Mikael Poté saw Benin play a 2-2 draw game with Ghana at the Ismailia Sports Stadium in their Group F game to end the first round of matches.

It was the Squirrels of Benin that started the game on a higher note after they found the net with just 3 minutes of proceedings through their danger man, Michael Poté who plies his trade in the Turkish League for Adana Demirspor.

2* GOOOOOAAAALLLL || BENIN
BENIN with the first goal of the game against the Black Stars of Ghana; wow that was really quick. M. Pote makes it 1-0 for Benin against Ghana #AFCON2019 #TotalAFCON2019

— Ghana Premier League (@GHPLLive) June 25, 2019

After the opening goal they pushed more men forward in search of another; Ghana quickly gained control of the game as they started pushing up front for the leveller - their pressure paid off as Jordan Ayew’s cut-back found his brother and skipper of the side, Dede Ayew who’s strike found the bottom corner of the post for the equaliser.

41* GOOOOAAAALLLL || GHANA
Jordan Ayew with the second goal of the game for Ghana to make it 2-1 with a sweet goal; its the Ayew show at the moment #AFCON2019 #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/KyPlVleKde

— Ghana Premier League (@GHPLLive) June 25, 2019

That response Ghanaians hoped for, it was quick and perfect as the game changed in favour of the Stars.

The likes of Thomas Partey and Mubarak Wakaso dictated the pattern and tempo of the game through their movements and passes. 

Black Stars were forced into substitution in the 34th minute when Thomas Agyapong had to be taken off for Samuel Owusu with John Boye also getting the first yellow card of the game for a cynical challenge around the centre circle.

Owusu nearly had the best impact a sub could make with his first touch of the game; had tried an audacious strike from his favourite left foot but the ball had too much height on it to trouble the goalkeeper despite having the right power.

Jordan Ayew finished off a wonderful pass from Kasim Adams to smash the ball into the roof of the net after a delightful turn to outwit Olivier Verdon. 

There was very little time for Benin to react to the goal as the first half ended 2-1 for Ghana at the break.

Benin kicked the second half underway but it was Ghana that had the best of possession until the 55th minute when a moment of madness from John Boye landed him the second yellow card of the game - a red card for the defender to hand Benin a numerical advantage to turn the game in favour of the Squirrels.

The danger man for Poté was on hand again as the defenders failed to pick him out to back-heel home from the six-yard box to complete his brace in the 63rd minute of the game.

63* GOOOOAAAALLL || BENIN
Mikael Poté restores parity for Benin, his second of the day against Ghana; 2-1 it stands at the Ismaila Stadium #AFCON2019 #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/PUoapCL0We

— Ghana Premier League (@GHPLLive) June 25, 2019

After the goal, coach Appiah made a change, Andre Ayew was replaced by Afriyie Acquah.

It was Thomas Partey who came closest for the Stars as he almost restored the lead for Ghana but his freekick was equally matched with a brilliant save from Benin keeper Fabien Farnolle.

Ghana probed but it was Benin that had the last minute chance to get the winner but fluffed it through Huddersfield's striker, Steve Mounié.

Cameroon’s victory over Guinea-Bissau leaves them at the summit of Group F on three points, Ghana and Benin trail on one point each with Guinea-Bissau at the bottom of the log with no point.

STATISTICS | Ghana