Substitute striker Emmanuel Yeboah scored twice to help Ghana beat Congo 3-2 in a thrilling CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A encounter, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
After a goalless first half where both sides exhibited resilience, Ghana returned to the pitch in the second half with an insatiable hunger for goals. Ghana’s head coach, Ibrahim Tanko, introduced Yeboah and Hafiz Ibrahim and their impact was instantaneous.
Just five minutes after, Ernest Nuamah handed Ghana the lead with a simple tap-in from Emmanuel Yeboah’s well-executed cross from the right wing. In the 75th minute, Yeboah outpaced a defender on the left wing and unleashed a well-placed shot that left the Congo goalkeeper well beaten. 2-0!!
Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Yeboah celebrates goal.
Ghana pressed on to extend the lead and their efforts paid off when Congo’s Djigo Saikou committed a foul inside the box, leading to the referee awarding a penalty after 83 minutes.
Yeboah confidently converted the penalty, extending Ghana’s lead to 3-0.
Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Yeboah.
In the third minute of added time, Congo managed to salvage a goal when substitute Reich Kokolo headed in a well-delivered free kick. A minute later, Yann Kouori-Ngatse capitalised on Ghana’s defensive lapses to score Congo’s second goal.
FULL-TIME ⏰
Two late Congo goals weren't enough after Emmanuel Yeboah's impressive second-half performance for Ghana off the bench in a dramatic contest!
🇬🇭 3-2 🇨🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 | #GHACGO pic.twitter.com/bbsDsQY8Q0
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 🏆 (@CAF_Online) June 25, 2023
However, Ghana held on as the match finished 3-2.
In a captivating Group A encounter in Rabat, the Black Meteors of Ghana emerged victorious, although they faced nail-biting moments in the dying minutes when Congo mounted an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit.
Ghana will return to action on Tuesday with a crucial Group A clash against hosts Morocco, while Congo Brazzaville will also take on Guinea in the day’s second match.
In the opening match on Saturday, Morocco secured a 2-1 victory over Guinea.
Sunday’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations results
Ghana U23 3-2 Congo Republic U23
Egypt U23 0-0 Niger U23.