Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
Ghana have recorded their first loss in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign after being beaten by Morocco in their opening Group C game.
The Black Stars were largely passive and were punished for their profligacy in the second half when Sofiane Boufal took advantage of a defensive lapse to score what proved to be the winner.
Milovan Rajevac named a very strong line-up but also picked five debutants for the game against the Atlas Lions.
Joojo Wollacot, Alexander Djiku, Joseph Paintsil, Baba Iddrisu and Kamaldeen Sulemana all started their first AFCON game, with Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey bringing experience to the team.
Morocco found the breakthrough in the 82nd minute when Boufal took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score the opening goal.
Rajevac left it late to effect his changes, bringing on Fatawu Issahaku, Daniel Kyere and Benjamin Tetteh in the final 10 minutes but the substitutes had very little effect as the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Atlas Lions.
The Black Stars will face Gabon in their second Group C game on Thursday.
FT: #TeamSenegal 1-0 #TeamZimbabwe
⚽ Sadio Mané (pen)#AFCONonPulse #AFCON21 #PulseSports
— Pulse Ghana (@PulseGhana) January 10, 2022
