AFCON 2019
Cameroon 0-0 Ghana
Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia
Saturday, 29-06-2019
Cameroon survived a late Ghana on-slot to maintain their AFCON unbeaten record against the Black Stars.
The Indomitable Lions who have now not lost any of their 5 AFCON games to the Black Stars, saw Ghana miss two wounderful opportunities in the final minutes of the game.
Subatitute Owusu Kwabena pounced on a lose pass in the middle, raced on goal before firing onto the upright and out for a goal kick.
Moments later, Andrew Yiadom alao went close with a low effort but it was just not to be Kwesi Appiah’s side’s day.
Cameroon had the two best chances of a below-per first half with Christian Bassogog seeing his goal bound left footed strike miraculous saves by the rarely tested Richard Ofori.
Ghana who drew 2-2 with Benin in the first game, started brightly with Kasimu Nuhu shooting over from inside the area.
Christian Atsu who would later be forced off due to injury and replaced by Owusu, also dragged a shot from distance, wide.
Cameroon almost broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time after Ghana’s Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman was caught in possession by Bassogog just inside his own half.
Bassogog, who was named player of the tournament in 2017, played the ball down the right for Karl Toko Ekambi before racing on to his cut-back, but goalkeeper Ofori leapt across his goal to make a fine save.
Veteran striker Asamoah Gyan was introduces with 13 minutes to play but his impact was close to none as he barely touched the ball.
And Ghana almost won it as Kwabena fired against the top of the crossbar after cutting out a poor pass by Cameroon defender Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, while Reading full-back Yiadom had a shot saved by Ofori.
Wakaso also had two chances to try and claim victory for his side but fired wide of the target while Bassogog had a thunderous shot blocked by a shoulder.
Cameroon now remain top of Group F with 4 points from two games and are all but through to the knockout stages.
Clarence Seedorf’s side now require just a draw off Benin to ensure a spot in the last 16.
With four best-placed third teams also joining the knock out party, Cameroon can still reach there even with defeat in their penultimate game.
For Ghana, they require three points off Guinea-Bissau so as to progress from the group.
Appiah’s side have now drawn their opening two games at this year’s competition, following a 2-2 draw with Benin on opening day.
The other games played on Saturday
-Maurtiania 0-0 Angola
-Benin 0-0 Guinea-Bissau
Sunday’s fixtures
-Burundi vs Guinea @7pm
-Madagascar vs Nigeria @7pm
-Uganda vs Egypt @10pm
-Zimbabwe vs DR Congo @10pm
