U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Update: Ghana Suffers Shocking Exit

U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Update: Ghana Suffers Shocking Exit

The final rounds of Group A matches for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations were concluded today at two separate venues in Morocco, with Ghana suffering a shocking exit from the competition.U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Update: Ghana Suffers Shocking Exit

Morocco Advances to Semifinals of U-23 Africa Cup 2023

The matches took place at Ibn Batouta Stadium (also known as Grand de Tangier) in Tangier, where Ghana faced Guinea in a West African derby, and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where hosts Morocco and Congo Republic battled it out for a spot in the last four of the continental football championship.

At Grand de Tangier, Emmanuel Yeboah, who previously scored Ghana’s third goal in their 3-2 victory against Congo Republic in the first group match, gave Ghana the lead with his second goal of the championship.

Yeboah’s goal came in the 32nd minute of the first half. In the second half, Ibrahim Breze Fofana equalized for Guinea in the 60th minute, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

At Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Younes Taha scored early in the 6th minute, giving the host team an early lead against Congo Republic.

With this victory, Morocco secured their place in the semi-finals of the football championship, having topped Group A with 9 points from three victories against Guinea (2-1), Ghana (5-1), and Congo Republic (1-0).

Guinea finished in second place with 4 points, thanks to a victory against Congo Republic (3-1), a loss to hosts Morocco (1-2), and a draw with Ghana (1-1).

Despite their draw, Ghana shockingly failed to make it to the semi-finals of the competition, losing the opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The finalists of the football championship and the winners of the third-place playoff in this edition of the tournament will qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympic men’s football event in Paris, France.

The fourth-placed team will enter the playoff between the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to decide the final Olympic slot.

Like this post?
We’d be delighted to hear from you. Please leave a comment in the box below!

About the Author

Obum Akawor
A retired Senior Civil Servant and sports journalist. A Fellow, Chartered Institute of Administration, FCAI.

Be the first to comment on "U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Update: Ghana Suffers Shocking Exit"

Leave a comment