The Black Stars of Ghana are out of the 2019 African Cup of Nations after losing on penalties to North African giants Tunisia in Ismailia late Monday.
After a gruelling 1-1 draw in regulation time, Ghana lost 5-4 on penalties, with Caleb Ekuban missing a crucial spotkick.
Tunisia, who had never beaten Ghana in a Cup of Nations game, thus picked up the victory and moved onto the quarter finals.
The dream for a 5th Afcon crown for Ghana thus lingers on.
The game started well for Ghana with the Black Stars bossing the first half but failing to score.
Ghana actually had the ball in the net in the first half, although that was ruled out for a Partey handball.
Partey chested down a loose ball, laid it up for Jordan whose cross was cleverly backheeled into the net by his brother Andre.
However, the referee disallowed the goal for a non-existent handball on Partey.
After the interval, the Stars lost their way as Tunisia grew more into the game, eventually leading to their goal.
Substitute Khazri’s backheel sent marauding Wajdi Kechrida down the right, whose cutback was rattled into the net by Khenissi.
Ghana were on the verge of elimination until a last minute own goal by Tunisia gave them a lifeline.
Mubarak Wakaso’s looping cross found defender Rami Bedoui’s head, which beat his goalie into his own net.
The own goal reviltalized the Stars, who remained on top throughout the extra time period but failed to capitalize on their chances.
Eventually, Ghana’s dreaded penalty record caught up to the team as they lost another shootout, this time with Ekuban missing the decisive spot kick.
Tunisia progresses to meet Madagascar in the quarter finals.
Source: GhanaCelebrities.Com