Emmanuel Yeboah came off the bench to score twice for Ghana as they laboured to a hard-fought 3-2 win over Congo at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat in the ongoing U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Morocco on Sunday evening.Ghana led 3-0 through the regular 90 minutes but Congo scored two goals in a span of a minute in stoppage time to send the game to a nervy end as they sought the equalizer.Before the CFR Cluj attacker scored the two goals, one from open play and one from the penalty spot, Ernest Nuamah had given Ghana the lead five minutes into the break off an assist by the substitute Yeboah.Magical Rupia wins 22/23 Golden Boot, ending all-time top scorer in a single season debateAfter a goalless first half where both sides exhibited resilience, Ghana returned to the pitch with an insatiable hunger for goals which saw the introduction of Yeboah and Hafiz Ibrahim for Afriyie Barnieh and Sylvester Simba, respectively.Just five minutes after Nuamah handed Ghana the lead with a simple tap-in from Yeboah’s well-executed cross from the right wing, the Ghanaian squad continued to surge forward in search of further goals.Gor Mahia crowned 2022-2023 FKFPL championsHowever, Congo’s Borel Tomandzoto caused some trouble for the Ghanaian backline as he dribbled past a defender, but his shot failed to find the target.Nonetheless, in the 75th minute, Yeboah etched his name on the scoresheet as he outpaced a defender on the left wing and unleashed a well-placed low shot that left the Congo goalkeeper beaten.The Black Meteors relentlessly pressed on, and their efforts paid off when Congo’s Djigo Saikou committed a foul inside the box, leading to the referee awarding a penalty after 83 minutes.##NAJAVA_MECA_7340259##Yeboah confidently converted the penalty, extending Ghana’s lead to 3-0. However, the referee ordered a retake after the Congo goalkeeper, Dhody Bissila, moved before the ball was struck, nullifying Yeboah’s successful attempt. Bissila received a caution for his premature actions.In the third minute of added time, Congo managed to salvage a goal when substitute Reich Kokolo expertly headed in a well-delivered free kick. A minute later, Yann Kouori-Ngatse capitalized on Ghana’s defensive lapses to score Congo’s second goal.Looking ahead, Ghana will return to action on Tuesday with a crucial Group A clash against hosts Morocco, while Congo Brazzaville will also take on Guinea in the day’s second match. In the opening match on Saturday, Morocco secured a 2-1 victory over Guinea.Additional reporting by CAF
