Good evening and welcome to the live text commentary of the game between Egypt and Ghana.
The Pharaohs of Egypt are taking on the Black Stars of Ghana today in their second Group B game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Ghana’s clash against Egypt will be played at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
The showdown in Group B today is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm.
⚽️ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 - Let’s do this! 🫵🏾
🇪🇬 Egypt 🆚 Ghana 🇬🇭 🏟️ Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny ⏱️ 20:00 GMT #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/Y7WBjhU62T
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) January 18, 2024
We go again today - We are Ghana! #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/ecyiAfIJVK
— Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) January 18, 2024
Ahead of kick-off, Ghana coach Chris Hughton has named goalkeeper Richard Ofori to start the game.
He will be protected by a back four that includes Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Salisu.
Majeed Ashimeru is one of two midfielders preferred to play in the Ghana midfield and will be linking up play with wingers Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams as well as poster boy Mohammed Kudus.
Antoine Semenyo is the striker leading the lines for the Black Stars tonight.
🔔 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🗞️
🌟 Kudus returns! 🧱 Djiku guards the defense 👊🏾 🎯 Inaki & Semenyo lead the attack
Our team to face Egypt 🇪🇬#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/CZHCnRn49Q
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) January 18, 2024
We are now less than an hour away from kick-off. The two teams will soon be on the pitch for their warmups. Can Ghana win this one?
The two teams are done with their respective warmups. We now await kick off in the next 15 minutes.
First half:
1’ We are off here in Abidjan.
4’ Majeed Ashimeru breaks for Ghana and tries to find Antoine Semenyo buy he is offside.
5’ Mohammed Salah being allowed to play at all. Close marking by the Ghana defense.
8’ Ghana so far doing well and playing it the simple way.
10’ Egypt 0-0 Ghana
15' Both countries playing with a lot of caution. So far so good. It could be anybody's game in 90 minutes.
18' Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo have been good in the attack today. Making the press to put pressure on Egypt.
22' Egypt wins a corner and a chance. The corner is taken but the defense of Ghana deals with it.
25' Egypt enjoying the bigger share of possession but no way to break down the Ghana defense.
27' Sloppy play from Gideon Mensah who is unable to trap a pass from Mohammed Kudus. Very poor.
31' We will have a short cooling break.
33' Some Ghana players are seen doing warm-ups on the touchline. Andre Ayew is part of the players and receives applause from the fans.
36' Egypt wins a free-kick in a dangerous position. Mohammed Salah will take.
37' The free kick is taken but Gideon Mensah is there to make the clearance.
40' We are into the final five minutes of the first half.
42' Richard Ofori is forced into making a routine save to keep the scoreline at 1-1.
45' We will do four minutes of additional time.