AFCON U23 Black Meteors dumped out after Guinea stalemate

Ghana have been dumped out of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw against Guinea in their final group game.

Emmanuel Yeboah’s goal in the first-half was not enough as Ibrahim Fofana netted a stunning volley to send Guinea through to the semi-finals.

Following a sluggish start from both sides, it was the Guineans that came close after Ousmane Camara’s goal-bound shot was stopped by his own teammate on the line.

CFR Cluj star Yeboah announced his presence in the game moments later after his header went few inches wide.

Ghana then took advantage of a miss-kick from Guinea goalkeeper Mory Keita with Ibrahim Hafiz finding Yeboah, whose one-two with Fatawu Issahaku resulted in a brilliant opener.

Hafiz nearly doubled Ghana’s lead after firing from outside the box, only for the Guinean shot-stopper to punch the ball away for a corner kick.

Right before half-time, Begaly Cisse threatened the Ghanaian goal post after rising high to head from a corner.

Five minutes after the break, Ghana coach Ibrahim Tanko replaced Emmanuel Yeboah with Ernest Nuamah but it was the Guineans who kept getting close.

Seydouba Cisse fired from long range before Mohamed Soumah saw his header hit the upright.

The pressure from the Guineans paid off on the hour mark after captain Ibrahima Fofana latched on the ball from outside the box, beating Black Meteors goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad.

The Black Meteors came close to getting the winner after Nuamah was sent through by Issahaku, only for his strike to be saved by Keita.

The Guineans held on as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations while Ghana exit at the group stage of another tournament.