Ayew jibe after Ghana held, Morocco reach last 16
>>YAOUNDE: Ghana captain Andre Ayew dismissed Gabon as a “small team” as a controversial late equaliser saw Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash between the sides finish 1-1 after title contenders Morocco secured their place in the last 16.
Ayew’s fine early strike had the fourtime champions on course to claim their first win in Group C only for Jim Allevinah to blast in a superb 88th-minute equaliser that put Gabon on the brink of the next round but left Ghana’s hopes on a knife-edge.
The Black Stars were furious that Gabon scored after opting not to return the ball when Ghana put it out of play as midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh went down injured.
“It was very small of them, but then that is how it is with small teams,” Ayew said. “We put the ball out of play, and it is fair play in football to give the ball back. Had they done that they would not have scored.”
A shoving match broke out on the pitch at full-time and Ghana’s Benjamin Tetteh was shown a red card.
It was a fine result for Gabon who were again without star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and midfielder Mario Lemina, who tested positive for Covid-19.
Ghana have just one point, with Gabon on four and Morocco on the maximum six from two matches after defeating tournament debutants the Comoros 2-0 earlier.
Selim Amallah gave the 1976 champions an early lead and then set up substitute Zakaria Aboukhlal to seal the win a minute from time.
Senegal have high hopes of finally winning a first continental title but they needed a late Sadio Mane penalty to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their opening game and on Friday they drew 0-0 with Guinea in Bafoussam.
Senegal and Guinea sit on four points while Malawi are just behind them after coming from behind to triumph 2-1 against Zimbabwe.
Ishmael Wadi headed Zimbabwe in front in the 38th minute but Frank Mhango of Orlando Pirates quickly equalised and then scored the winner just before the hour mark.
RESULTS Group B
In Bafoussam: Guinea 0 Senegal 0; Malawi 2 (Mhango 43, 58) Zimbabwe 1 (Wadi 38)
Group C
In Yaounde: Morocco 2 (Amallah 16, Aboukhlal 89) Comoros 0; Ghana 1 (A Ayew 18) Gabon 1 (Allevinah 88)