The clock was winding down at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, like sand pouring down from the upper bulb of an hourglass to the lower side.
The full-time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for Ghanaians; it looked like an eternity for the Black Stars, who had put themselves in an uncomfortable position against Mozambique in the last group game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Until added time, it was plain sailing for the Black Stars, who went about their business with minimal fuss, taking the lead courtesy of a Jordan Ayew brace from the penalty spot in either half.
The team looked home and dry, at least until the dying embers of the game where the lives of Ghanaians flashed before their eyes.
How did the team manage to create a grandstand finish of this magnitude? All frustrations were channeled at one man for costing Ghana a place in the knockout rounds.
Another player who divides opinion amongst Ghana’s fanbase despite his unwavering commitment to the national team, André Ayew, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, leaving Mozambique with an opportunity to half the deficit from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Geny Catamo stepped up and beautifully dispatched his kick, with about five minutes to go. What looked to be a comfortable win had swayed tremendously as supporters of Ghana seemingly appeared to be sitting on tenterhooks close to death, with the team’s woeful record of creaking under pressure lingering in their minds.
Only one instruction was being echoed across Ghana’s backline: shore things up and let’s see out the game.
The Black Stars needed a victory, after drawing their previous game against Egypt and losing their opening game against Cape Verde; only a win would have guaranteed a place in the next stage for the four-time AFCON champions.
Nothing could possibly go wrong, could it? Ghana‘s goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, was yet to put a foot wrong in the decisive game against Mozambique, going down to thwart Bruno Langa’s well-drilled low effort two minutes after the break.
Although not entirely convincing throughout the tournament, with pre-tournament jitters about the shot-stopper’s form and having a part to play in Cape Verde’s winning goal against Ghana, Ofori was without blemish for the greater part of the game.
However, his frailties began to show.
On the hour mark, Mozambique’s Geny Catamo put in an out-swinging cross from a corner kick, with Richard Ofori failing to judge the flight of the ball and faintly punching the ball clear – which Jone Nene headed agonizingly close.
The caution to the Black Stars was glaring, as the goalkeeper struggled to gather or punch clear corner-kicks throughout the game.
After Mozambique halved the deficit the tide had turned, with momentum with the Mambas.
Mohammed Salisu cleared Mozambique’s left-sided corner, as far as Reinildo, whose attempted volley at the edge of the box was completely miscued – with the ball skinning off the turf on its way out until Richard Ofori laid a glove on it.
Ofori quickly pulled his hands out of harm’s way, remonstrating to the referee his innocence at the occurrence, as the official had signaled for a corner kick with virtually the game’s last kick.
Catamo, as he had done throughout the game, found his bearings right this time with a pinpoint cross, right on the money! Reinildo, although back peddling, glanced his header into the far post, with Richard Ofori scrambling to get a touch on the ball.
Ghana relinquished their authority in the game as a quick-fire double from Mozambique rescued a point for them and ended Ghana’s journey.
To this day, Ghanaians have failed to wrap their heads around Richard Ofori’s inadvertent touch, on his 33rd cap, with many cussing to never let go.
Ofori would then head back to his club at the time, Orlando Pirates, where he took his seat in the dugout as he struggled for minutes.
Eight months down the line and Ofori is set to begin a new adventure with South African club, AmaZulu.
By Andrews Sefa Bamfo
