GHANA IN STALEMATE WITH CAR

Four-time African champions Ghana have been involved in a stalemate with the Central African Republic (CAR) in the second group game for thetwo countries as far as the qualifying campaign for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast is concerned. Ghana and CAR are in Group E alongside Angola and Madagascar.

In the first set of games in Group E, Ghana thrashed Madagascar 3-0 at home thanks to three second half goals. After a goalless first half, it took Ajax Amsterdam attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus just eight minutes to break the deadlock for the Black Stars of Ghana. Three minutes later, AS Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the lead for the home team. Nantes star Osman Bukari sealed the big win for Ghana with four minutes left on the clock. Bukari is on loan at French club Nantes from Gent in the Belgian league and he was able to register his first goal in just his third game for Ghana. The big win over Madagascar at home on Wednesday evening ended a run of six games without a win for the Ghanaians.

Earlier in the other group game, hosts Angola came from behind to beat the Central African Republic. Spezia striker M'BalaNzola and Gelson scored within four second half minutes to overturn the first half opener from Samuel Nlend for their team. Nlend gave the Central African Republic the lead on 32 minutes and his goal was the difference between the two teams at the interval. Nzola scored the equaliser on 72 minutes before the winner from Gelson arrived four minutes later.
For the second set of games in Group E, Mohammed Kudus made it two goals in two AFCON 2023 qualifiers with his first half opener for visitors Ghana against the Central African Republic. Karl Namnganda scored the equaliser for home team four minutes from the break and that was how it stayed for the rest of the game as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. The other game between hosts Madagascar and Angola also ended in a 1-1 draw.
The top two teams from Group E will qualify for the 2023 AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.