Blue Sharks savage Black Stars
Cape Verde caused the first major upset at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after they beat Ghana 2-1 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium at Sunday, January 14.
The Blue Sharks moved to the top of Group B on three points after Egypt could only draw 2-2 with Mozambique earlier in the evening, leaving the Black Stars to bring up the rear.
Bubista's side bossed proceedings in the first half and they got off to a good start when Jamiro Monteiro scored on the rebound in the 17th minute after Jovane Cabral's initial shot from range had only partially been dealt with by Richard Ofori.
The West Africans looked to respond as Ransford Koenigsdoerffer struck the right post from close range in the 35th minute before Majeed Ashimeru had the ball in the back of the net moments later, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review.
Jordan Ayew had a chance to equalise on the stroke of halftime, but his shot from outside the area flew high and wide after a direct free-kick deflected into his path.
However, Chris Hughton's side were back in the contest early in the second half as Alexander Djiku steered his header into the left corner of the goal from a corner on 56 minutes.
Joseph Paintsil spurned a glorious opportunity to put them ahead on the hour mark when he guided the ball narrowly beyond the right post from Antoine Semenyo's pass.
Cape Verde piled on the pressure in the closing stages and Jovane Cabral forced Ofori into a smart save from inside the area on the left in the 83rd minute before Garry Rodrigues also tested the goalkeeper seven minutes later.
Their efforts paid dividends in the second minute of stoppage time when Rodrigues latched onto Gilson Benchimol's pass and tucked his shot past Ofori to clinch a dramatic win.
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