Olympic dreams over: Black Meteors crash out of U -23 AFCON after drawing with Guinea
Ghana's U-23 national team, the Black Meteors, bid farewell to the CAF U-23 AFCON tournament in Morocco following a 1-1 draw against Young Syli National of Guinea at Tangier's Ibn Batouta Stadium last Friday.
In an enthralling high-stakes encounter, the Young Syli National advanced to the knockout stage thanks to a powerful long-range volley by Ibrahima Fofana, which nullified Emmanuel Yeboah's earlier lead and ended the Meteors hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Eager to redeem themselves after a 5-1 defeat to tournament hosts Morocco earlier in the week, Ghana entered the match with determination, aiming to establish an early advantage and unsettle their opponents.
However, it was Guinea that created better opportunities through swift counterattacks. Ousmane Camara displayed his skill up front, breaching Ghana's defence to deliver a well-placed cross. Unfortunately, an unmarked Fofana squandered a golden chance by striking the ball straight into his teammate Aguibou Camara with an open goal in front of him, within the opening minutes.
Guinea's failure to convert their chances haunted them in the 33rd minute when Ghana's Emmanuel Yeboah, a striker for CFR Cluj, executed a quick exchange of passes with playmaker Abdul Fatawu Issahaku before finding the back of the net from inside the penalty box, granting Ghana the lead.
Ghana's goal sparked a resurgence in Guinea as they dominated possession and pushed their opponents deep into their own half. Seydouba Cisse came close to equalizing in the 40th minute, rising above his markers to connect with Camara's cross, but his header narrowly missed the target, bringing relief to the Ghanaians.
Guinea maintained their dominance and pushed forward in search of an equalizer but despite their efforts Ghana managed to hold on until halftime.
After the break, Black Meteors coach Ibrahim Tanko made a substitution, replacing Yeboah, who had made a significant impact in the tournament with three goals and an assist, with the agile winger Ernest Appiah Nuamah.
With momentum in their favour, Guinea finally found the equalizer in the 60th minute. A headed clearance by Ghana defender David Oppong Afranie fell to the onrushing Fofana, who skillfully volleyed the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
Moments later, Guinea had an opportunity to take the lead as Camara came close to capitalizing on a well-executed move by Naby Oulare, but his shot was deflected for a corner.
As the match neared its conclusion, substitute Nuamah had a chance to restore the lead for Ghana in the 78th minute, shrugging off his marker, he connected with a loose ball and attempted a curler, but goalie Mory Keita made a save to deny him.
Heading into the match, Guinea held a comfortable position in Group A, sitting behind already qualified Morocco, knowing that a draw would secure their progression based on goal difference. The tie ended with Ghana and Guinea tied on four points each in second place, but Young Syli National advanced due to their superior goal difference.
The result shattered the Black Meteors' hopes of qualifying for the Summer Olympics in Paris next year, leaving several players collapsing onto the pitch at full-time.
It is important to highlight that Ghana has not qualified for the Olympic football tournament since 2004.