The dream for a fourth successive appearance at the biggest stage in world football may well have ended for Ghana after Congo put up a masterful performance to earn a 1-1 stalemate in Kumasi.
After picking up only just a point in two games, Ghana were given a lifeline by Uganda yesterday to get their World Cup qualification campaign back on track but instead fluffed it.
And the inquest will begin as to what really accounted for the team’s lethargic display by the players in a must-win game against whipping boys of Group E.
Perhaps the players overly celebrated Uganda’s stunning 1-0 win over Egypt, which blew the race wide open that they forgot to remain focused for their ultimate task of beating Congo.
With the second most powerful man in the country, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia watching on from a comfortable place at the stadium, Kwesi Appiah’s charges failed to impress and were even lucky to get a point.
The Red Devils game plan worked to perfection with Kwesi Appiah being made to pay for his poor player positioning.
Joseph Attamah, who often operates as a center back or defensive midfielder was played in an unfamiliar right back role and it was his blunder that led to Thievy Bifouma opening the scoring with a neat effort on the 21 minutes. The top scorer in qualifier for Congolese was left unmarked and he drilled home from close range.
However, it took the intervention of Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey to save Ghana from defeat as he equalised with four minutes remaining.
The result means Black Stars are five points behind leaders Uganda with three matches to go.
The winner of the group qualifies for Russia next year.
Below is Live Blog of what transpired in the game
