The Black Stars were eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, January 22, after losing a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Mozambique in the ninetieth minute.

As one of the four best third-placed clubs, the four-time winners now sit third in Group B and have little chance of moving on to the knockout stage.

Concurrently, Egypt and Cape Verde drew 2-2 in the second group match.

To have a chance of finishing the group stage as one of the top four third-place teams, the Black Stars had to win at all costs.

In the 2:2 draw with Egypt, Chris Hughton made just one alteration to his starting lineup: Joseph Paintsil took Iñaki Williams’ place.

This strategy paid off as the first of the game’s three penalties was awarded due to the forward from Genk’s charge into the Mozambican penalty area.

Ghana was able to get off to the much-needed head start in this vital match when Jordan Ayew chose to convert the spot kick.

In the second half, Libyan referee Mutaz Ibrahim gave the Black Stars another penalty due to a handball in the penalty area following a strike by Mohammed Kudus.

Jordan scored once more.

To everyone’s surprise, however, the referee pointed to the spot after Andre Ayew, the substitute, made an unintentional handball.

But because this occurred during the latter moments of the match, the Ghanaian players hardly raised an objection.

The shocking moment, though, came when Reinildo’s header from the ensuing set piece beat Richard Ofori as the Mambas continued to press for a corner kick off his gloves.

Referee Mutaz Ibrahim ended play at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara D’Ebimpé, ending the dreams of a generation of players to win the nation’s fifth title. Earlier in the day, the hosts had defeated lowly-ranked Equatorial Guinea 4-0 at the same location.

Ghana hasn’t triumphed in a tournament match since they defeated Guinea-Bissau in the championship group match in Egypt in 2019 as a result of the draw.