In a stunning turn of events during their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash against Mozambique, Ghana’s Black Stars, who seemed destined for the round of 16 with a 2-0 lead from two penalties by Jordan Ayew, suffered a heartbreaking collapse at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Monday night. This late implosion extended Ghana’s winless streak at the tournament to an unprecedented seven games, sparking national mourning and raising concerns about the future of the once-dominant team.

The outcome left the four-time AFCON winners with two points at the end of the group stage, a total that has traditionally not been sufficient for teams to qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Despite Jordan Ayew’s composed penalty finishes in the 15th and 66th minutes, Mozambique, relentless in their pursuit of an equalizer, exploited Ghana’s defensive vulnerabilities. Catamo converted a penalty in the 90th minute after Andre Ayew’s unfortunate handball, and in the fourth minute of added time, Mandava, who was involved in the second penalty, rose highest to head home a corner past Ofori, igniting celebrations for the Mambas and despair for the Black Stars.

Ghana’s early dominance, marked by the first shot within a minute, became a distant memory as Mozambique increased the pressure in the second half. Two missed opportunities by Lau King and a ten-minute period of Mozambican possession led to yellow cards for both Andre Ayew and Iddrisu in the second half.

Hughton’s defensive substitutions, aimed at securing the lead, tragically backfired, leaving Ghana exposed and outnumbered in the final moments. Geny Catamo successfully sent Ofori the wrong way in the 90th minute after the ball struck Andre Ayew’s arm.

In the fourth minute of six minutes of added time, with the ball bouncing out of play off a Mozambique player, goalkeeper Richard Ofori made contact with it. From the resulting corner, Reinildo headed it into the corner past Ofori, condemning Ghana to a second consecutive group stage exit at the AFCON.