Ghana were held 1-1 by Libya in a dramatic second Group C game in the ongoing CHAN tournament.
Yahya Mohammed in the 5th minute headed home a sumptuous cross to put Ghana ahead before Faisal Ali drew level in the second half with a dubious penalty.
The Libyans had been denied what appeared to be a legitimate equaliser in a game that was never lacking in drama and controversy.
The Moroccan referee, Redouane Jiyed was substituted after a minor injury in the second half making way for Victor Gomez.
Ghana dominated play in the first half and should have buried the game but a superb Yahya Mohammed was just unlucky not to have hit a hat-trick.
In the 25th minute, the rasta hair-styled striker beat his marker before delivering a thunderbolt which whisked inches wide. Few minutes later the Kotoko striker beautifully controlled a long surging ball from the Ghana defence, dummied two Libyan marks men but his frail shot on his weaker left foot was saved by the Libya shot stopper.
The tormentor-in-chief of the Libya defence men would however miss Ghana's final group game against Ethiopia after he picked a second yellow card for simulation. He had picked one in the opening game against Congo.
Having missed several opportunities in the first half, it was the turn of the Libyans to dominate the second and they gave the Ghana defence a lot of headache.
Libya had the opportunity for the equaliser five minutes into the second half but a free header from the Libyan attacker was well dealt with by Stephen Adams in post for Ghana.
A minute later, the Libyans had what appeared to be a perfect equaliser disallowed when Salleh slightly shoved the Ghanaian defender before heading past Stephen Adams.
Nuhu Sulley who could easily have played the ball away to safety was shepherding the ball for his goal keeper but Salleh shoved him away before heading into an empty net.
That decision, incidentally was the last major decision taken by the Moroccan referee before being substituted for injury.
Minutes after replacing him, Victor Gomez took another controversial decision by awarding the Libyans a penalty.
The Libyan striker in a tussle with Ghana's Nuhu Sulley both fell in the vital area, but the Libya striker was back up on his feet only to go back down after running into the Ghana defender who was still on the ground.
Gomez pointed to the spot, for Faisal Ali to convert for the Libyans to level things up for the north African side.
Both teams had last gasp opportunities to carry the day but fluffed them.
One all it ended in the game but the two teams will be joint leaders of Group C with Libya having a better goal aggregate.
Latest Stories
-
‘When Abrantie BoG came, the cedi is now trading at GHȼ16 to a dollar’ – Mahama teases Bawumia
5 mins -
Al Fayed’s son ‘horrified’ by sexual abuse allegations
9 mins -
Agyapa Mercer unveils Ghana’s first Creative Arts Hall of Fame in Sekondi
10 mins -
Bright Simons: Bank of Ghana sweats to impress the IMF about cedi’s woes
18 mins -
Mahama accuses Sanitation Ministry of squandering $43m World Bank grant, $150m GARID funds
22 mins -
GPL 2024/25: Samartex return from Africa with sight on Vision FC
1 hour -
Ashimeru praises Vincent Kompany’s early success at Bayern Munich
1 hour -
Jintao Sanitary Ware Ghana Limited begins operations in Takoradi
1 hour -
Zamalek beat Al Ahly on penlaties to win 2024 CAF Super Cup
2 hours -
Elisha Owusu opens Ligue 1 scoring account as Auxerre thump Brest
2 hours -
We need quality products locally; importing to run top hotels increases cost – Labadi Beach Hotel MD
10 hours -
2024/25 GPL: Basake Holy Stars face tough test against Medeama at CAM Park
10 hours -
Kwahu-Nkwatia development chief advocates for peaceful elections
10 hours -
We must declare state of emergency over galamsey, halt all mining – VLK Djokoto
11 hours -
JL Plantations, WES Trade sign MoU to promote commercial agriculture in Ghana
11 hours