GHANA 2-2 DR CONGO
Ghana played out an entertaining 2-2 with DR Congo in Port Elizabeth on Sunday in their Group B 2013 African Cup of Nations opener.
The Black Stars allowed a winning position to slip by after taking a 2-0 lead before the 50th minute mark.
But a second half charge from the Leopards handed Claude Le Roy’s troops a share of the spoils thanks to goals from Captain Tresor Mputu Mabi and Dieumerci Mbokani.
DR Congo fired the first warning shot when experienced striker Lomana Lua Lua smashed the woodwork after Mputu’s excellent run from the right.
Ghana responded seven minutes later with a goal threatening strike from 20-yards courtesy of Albert Adomah, but that went off target.
Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan was put through on a one-on-one situation but disappointingly shot wide on the half hour mark.
But there was joy nine minutes later when Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu opened the scoring which happened to be the tournament’s first goal.
Ghana went into the break with the 1-0 lead despite chasing shadows.
Juventus star Kwadwo Asamoah grabbed the second for Ghana four minutes after the break when he headed in from a corner-kick which rattled the inside of the crossbar, 2-0.
Captain Mputu pulled one back by finishing off a nice move which carved the Ghana defence open in the 53rd minute, 2-1.
Debutant Akaminko pulled the shirt of striker striker Mbokani inside the box and the Anderlecht danger man converted from the penalty spot to draw the Leopards level on 68 minutes, 2-2.
A great save from Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda to deny Yousuf Mulumbu the third goal after a brilliant move from the wings kept the scores level.
DR Congo keeper Kidibia twice had to deny Gyan by parrying away his efforts.
Ghana’s next game is against Mali at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday while DR Congo entertains Niger.
MALI 1-0 NIGER
Seydou Keita scored six minutes from regulation time as Mali became the first country to win a match at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. They beat Group B minnows Niger 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Sunday night.
Mali deserved the victory after dominating possession and having more chances, including hitting the woodwork.
With six minutes remaining the Eagles of Mali found the crucial goal they had been seeking all day. Diawara delivered the ball into the box and it looked to be a routine catch for Niger keeper Kassaly Daouda. He fumbled, however, and the ball fell to Keita, who had the simplest of task of shooting into an open net.
