Yet Another Dramatic Comeback in the African Nations’ Cup

Pin It Now! Mozambique recorded yet another dramatic comeback in the ongoing African nations’ cup tournament in Angola yesterday to level scores with Benin republic at 2-2 after a display of soccer artistry by both sides at the Ombaka stadium in Benguela. It would be recalled that Mali had on the opening day come from 4 goals deficit to draw levels at 4-4 with Angola in what was termed ‘the greatest comeback’ in the tournament’s history.
The match kicked off at 19:30 GMT with Abdel Raman Khalid of Sudan as the centre referee. The Mambas of Mozambique made their first dangerous incursion at the 11th minute through Manuel Bucuane (Tico Tico), but the brilliant display by the Beninese goal keeper saved the situation. In the 13th minute however, Omotoyossi Razak was brought down by the Mozambican goal keeper to concede a penalty and received a yellow card for the offence. The resultant penalty was neatly converted by Omotoyossi for the first goal for the Squirrels. The Squirrels continued to mount pressure on the Mambas until the 21st minute when this eventually paid off for them when Mozambican defender, Dario Khan scored an own goal after a goal mouth scramble.
The Angolans fought back gallantly and pulled a goal back in the 28th minute through a header by Almira Lobo. Thereafter, it was attack and counter attack by both sides. At half time, ball possession was 54% against 46% in favour of the Mambas. Officiating was fair with just a yellow card in the first half. But on resuming the second half, Benin squandered a chance that would have sealed victory for them when Omotoyossi Razak after displacing the goal tender lost the ball to onrushing Dario Khan for a corner kick. In the 53rd minute M. Bucuane received a yellow card for placing the ball into the Beninese net after the referee had sounded the whistle for an offside. But in the 54th minute Mozambique was rewarded with the second goal through Fumo who cashed on the blunder by the goalie who had rushed out to place the ball in an empty net. More fouls were committed as both sides tried to wrap up the game. Sitoe and Adenon both got a yellow card each in the 58th and 60th minute respectively. Bucuane once again wasted another chance that would have gotten victory for his side as he shot wide inside the 18 yard box in the 70th minute.
Muri Ogunbiyi was later substituted with Kobena after a below average performance. He obviously disappointed the fans after series of wrong passes and shooting unto the body of his opponents against their expectation.
A mild drama ensued in the 84th minute when the Mozambican goal keeper Cossa Albino did a flip after catching the ball but the ball rolled off his hands; thanks to the defender that quickly came to his rescue, it would have been an expensive mistake. It could be recalled that he did the same flip in the return leg match against the Super Eagles of Nigeria during the world cup/nations cup qualifiers in Abuja. The two goal tenders actually performed badly giving away cheap goals. The ‘Orange Man of the Match’ was awarded to Manuel Bucuane (Tico Tico). Earlier the Pharaohs of Egypt defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria by 3-1 to top group C.

Yet Another Dramatic Comeback in the African Nations’ Cup