Sow nets winner as Senegal sink Ghana in opener
enegal yesterday defeated Ghana 2-1 in their opening Group C game at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea, thanks to Moussa Sow’s late goal.
Ghana took a first half lead through Andre Ayew’s penalty. But Senegal fought back in the second half and equalized through Mame Diouf before Sow pounced in the dying seconds of the match.
A moment of brilliance from Jordan Ayew should have doubled the Black Stars’ lead, had Christian Atsu chosen not to shoot wide from 12 yards.
The long balls from Senegal almost got them the equalizer but the inspired Razak Braimah was agile and alert to thwart their efforts.
An excellent acrobatic save from Braimah denied Mame Biram Diouf what could have been a contender for goal of the tournament.
But the Black Stars could have done better had Atsu, Daniel Amartey and Jonathan Mensah went into the match with their scoring boots.
A superb volley from Atsu was saved by Coundoul after being set up Jordan once again. A late surge by the Lions of Teranga in the dying embers of the first half yielded no dividends as they went into the break a goal down and two booking as well.
The second half started with substitution by the Lions, with Lamine Gamassa replacing the ineffective Papy Djilobodji.
A strong run from the substitute on the 50th minute resulted almost the needed equalizer but for the solidity of Amartey.
The unrelenting pressure from the rampant Senegalese paid off on the 57th minute. A goalmouth melee resulted in the equalizer after a rebound from the goal post was headed home by former Manchester United center forward, Mame Biram Diouf.
The goal sparked the 2002 runners-up, as they almost got the game’s third goal in the 65th minute by Diouf.
The introduction of Mubarak Wakaso for Atsu failed to produce the needed results as the Black Stars almost conceded the second goal moments later.
Senegal coach Alain Giresse responded by replacing Dame Ndoye with Moussa Sow, who almost made an instant impact on 79 minutes.
Diop fluffed his lines after some defensive mistake from Jonathan Mensah on the 80th minute.
The introduction of Afriyie Acquah for Mohamed Rabiu for precautionary reasons denied Ghana the much-needed steel in the middle of the park.
Jordan Ayew headed a potential late winner for the Black Stars wide.
David Accam replaced the ineffective Andre Ayew with four minutes left on the clock.
Some defensive lapses at the back almost gifted the Ghana their 10th opening Nations Cup victory. Substitute Moussa Sow broke the heart of Ghanaians deep into injury time.