Thomas Freeman Yeboah

The four times champions of Africa were knocked out of the AFCON 2019 5-4 on penalties after 120 minutes of football had ended in a one-all against North Africans giants Tunisia.

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Ghana are yet to win the Africa Cup of Nations since winning the competition in 1982 on Libyan soil.

The Black Stars have played in three different Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals after 1982, but all efforts have remained futile.

Kevin-Prince Boateng who hasn’t earned a call-up since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil has stated that Ghana failed to accomplish their quest to annex the continent’s showpiece because he was not part of the team.

It would be recalled that Boateng and Sulley Muntari were sacked from the camp of the Black Stars during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil for indecent and subsequently banned from the national team.

Muntari has apologised, yet the Sassuolo attacker has not shown any remorse for his action.

The 32-year-old was part of the Ghana team that reached the 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals and represented the West African powerhouse in the 2014 Mundial, but he is yet to feature for them in the Africa Cup of Nations.

KP Boateng had a six-month loan stint with Barcelona and he has returned to his parent club Sassuolo after it expired.

The ex-Barcelona forward started his career at Hertha Berlin and in between the time he has had spells at Tottenham Hotspurs, Dortmund, Portsmouth, AC Milan, Schalke O4, Las Palmas, Frankfurt, Sassuolo and Barcelona.

Kevin-Prince Prince Boateng has thrown shade at Ghana following their elimination from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana can’t win a trophy without me: Kevin-Prince Boateng shades

In a total of seven meetings, the Black Stars have won six and drawn one against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Co-incidentally Ghana met Tunisia en route to winning all their four Africa Cup of Nations titles- 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982.

Ghana will face their familiar opponents on Monday 8th July in their quest to overcome the North Africans again.

Aside from their first ever encounter in 1963 which ended in a one-all draw Ghana have won their last six games against Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana’s six consecutive wins against Tunisia make the North Africans powerhouse the Black Stars easiest opponents in AFCON history, having beaten them more than any other country in the continent’s showpiece.

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Below is Ghana’s head to head against Tunisia

Black Stars celebrate goal against Guinea Bissau

The Black Stars remain undefeated in their past seven clashes with Tunisia in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Undefeated: Ghana have beaten Tunisia more than any country in AFCON history

Ghana who were on two points before the game have increased their points tally to five.

Cameroon were also held to a goalless draw by Benin in the other Group F game.

What it means is that Ghana have now qualified with more goals scored.

The Indomitable Lions defeated Guinea Bissau 2-0 in their opening Group F game while the Black Stars drew two all against the Squirrels of Benin.

Ghana and Cameroon battled it out to a goalless draw in the second round of their Group F games.

Heading into their last group F games Cameroon were leading the pack with four points and plus two goals.

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But the Black Stars who had two points without a goal managed to beat Guinea Bissau by two unanswered goals to go plus two with five points as well.

Ghana and Cameroon have five points plus two goals and looking at the application of the head to head rule which is the first step of the tiebreakers.

And since they both have the same head to head indicators in terms of points and goals for, we will move to the next indicator which is more goals scored in Group F by the two sides.

Ghana scored a total of four goals, two each against Benin and Guinea Bissau, whereas Cameroon had two goals to their credit.

This means Ghana have finished top of Group F with more goals scored.

Ghana, as it stands now, will play against the runners-up of Group E which has Mali, Tunisia, Angola and Mauritania.

Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey goals handed Ghana a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau in their final Group F encounter at the Suez Stadium on Tuesday, July 2.

This is why Ghana have finished top of Group F

Ghana will need a win against Guinea Bissau to qualify from Group F which has defending champions Cameroon and Benin.

Team news and match facts

Guinea Bissau

They lost their opening game against Cameroon, but they pulled up a surprise when they held Benin to a goalless draw in their second group game.

Guinea Bissau can also qualify for the knockout stage as runners up or pick one of the four slots for the best third-placed finishers if they beat Ghana.

The African Wild Dogs have lost 3 of their last 4 matches (AFCON)

Guinea Bissau’s poor record at the Africa Cup of Nations means they will need to be at their very best to come anywhere close to matching Ghana. Their poor attack is unlikely to get its first goal against Ghana.

Striker Frederic Mendy is in line to start in attack despite failing to find the net in both matches at this AFCON. The defensive partnership of Juary and Marcelo Dialo is also set to continue at the back despite struggling against the class of Cameroon in their opening match.

Ghana are unbeaten in their last 5 matches (all competition).

Ghana have drawn their first two games (2-2 against Benin and 0-0 against Cameroon)

The Black Stars have failed to win any of their first two Africa Cup of Nations Cup games for the first time since 2002.

Ghana’s performance in the Cameroon game is an improvement on their 2-2 draw against Benin.

Christian Atsu has been ruled out of the game due to an injury he picked up against Cameroon.

Kassim Nuhu, who has been a pillar in the Black Stars defence has been suspended for this tie after receiving two yellow cards.

John Boye who has returned from suspension and is likely to replace Nuhu, while Samuel Owusu will replace Atsu.

Ghana have never played against Guinea Bissau, so this will be their first ever meeting.

The Black Stars will fancy their chances against Guinea Bissau as they search for their first win of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Cup (AFCON) at the Suez Stadium on Tuesday, July 2.

Ghana seek victory over Guinea Bissau in final Group F clash

Richard Ofori who has been outstanding in post for Ghana will maintain the number one spot.

James Kwesi Appiah will keep faith in Baba Rahman who was preferred over Lumor Agbenyenu against Cameroon in the left lack position, while Andy Yiadom will continue to operate from the right side of the lateral defence.

Kassim Nuhu Adams is suspended for this tie for receiving two yellow cards, so in his place, John Boye who has returned from suspension is likely to partner Jonathan Mensah.

The midfield trio of Kwadwo Asamoah, Mubarak Wakaso and Thomas Partey will be stationed in the middle of the park.

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Final training session before Tuesday’s match against Guinea Bissau <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOTALAFCON2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOTALAFCON2019</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BLACKSTARS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BLACKSTARS</a> <a href="https://t.co/t8RB1pA0Fj">pic.twitter.com/t8RB1pA0Fj</a>&mdash; 🇬🇭 Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghanafaofficial/status/1145771307679789062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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On the right side of the attack, Kwesi Appiah will throw Samuel Owusu as the replacement for Christian Atsu who has been ruled out of the game due to injury, whereas Andre Ayew will operate from the left side of the attack.

Jordan Ayew will be deployed once again as the arrowhead.

Kwesi Appiah’s charges will guard against complacency because it is a must-win situation for them.

The kick-off time for the game is 4:00 pm Ghanaian time.

The other Group F game between Cameroon and Benin will be played concurrently as that of the Ghana clash against Guinea Bissau.

Probable starting XI:

Richard Ofori, Andy Yiadom, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Mubarak Wakaso, Thomas Partey, Kwadwo Asamoah, Samuel Owusu, Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew.

Black Stars General Captian, Asamoah Gyan

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah will field a strong line-up when the Black Stars face the Wild African Dogs of Guinea Bissau on Tuesday, July 2 at the Suez Sports Stadium.

Black Stars possible starting line-up against Guinea Bissau

A win for the Harambee Stars will see Senegal dislodged from the second spot, which would affect their chances of qualifying automatically to the knockout stage.

Kenya have won two of their last three games in the AFCON (L1) after failing to win their first 13 (D4 L9).

Kenya are highly motivated as head into their encounter with demoralized Senegal after the former came from behind twice to beat their East African neigbours Tanzania in a five-goal thriller.

All eyes will be on Michael Olunga, the two-goal hero as Kenya defeated Tanzania 3-2 and with Kenya's defence unlikely to withstand the Senegal attack for the full 90 minutes the Harambee Stars will be relying on their target man to bury his chances.

Senegal have lost only once in their last six games in the AFCON (W3 D2) but it was the last one, against Algeria.

Senegal who are the highest ranked team in Africa are yet to live up to that hype in this tournament.

They won their first game 2-0 against Tanzania, but suffered a setback in their second game with a 1-0 defeat against their bogey side Algeria.

Sadio Mane, the talisman of the team failed to come to the party against Algeria after missing the Tanzania game due to suspension.

He is expected to rise up to the occasion against Kenya.

Senegal have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches in all competitions and the steely resolve of Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly sets the tone at the back.

Kenya are winless in their three games against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations (D1 L2), failing to score in each meeting.

The Teranga Lions are aiming at getting their 2019 AFCON campaign on track after a defeat against Algeria as they take on rejuvenated Kenya in their final Group C clash on Monday at Alsalam Stadium.

Senegal face Kenya in a make or break encounter

Ghana were held to a two all draw against Benin on Tuesday, June 25 in their opening Group F game to create doubts about the title credentials of the four times champions of Africa.

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/ghana-to-battle-with-cameroon-in-rematch-of-2017-afcon-semis/yd32k22" target="_blank">Ghana settle for 2-2 draw against Benin in Group F opener</a>

They have played out another drawn game against defending champions Cameroon and as it stands now they will need a win against Guinea Bissau to secure qualification to the knockout stage of the competition.

Ghana took control of the game in the early minutes and created some goal-scoring opportunities, but the likes of Kassim Nuhu, Christian Atsu fluffed them.

Cameroon warmed themselves into the game and also had their own turn of the possession after the first 15 minutes.

In the process, Nje and Bassagog threatened Ghana’s goal area and called Richard Ofori to duty on several occasions but he stood to the test.

In one of the chances that fell the way of Cameroon, Baba Rahman lost the ball and Christian Bassagog capitalised on that to create space and gave it to Nje before he collected it back. He then struck the ball, but Richard Ofori made a sensational save to deny him.

Nje also came close to scoring but Jonathan Mensah had a touch of the ball to prevent the Cameroonian from getting a full control of it in the second half.

Cameroon afterwards continued to dominate play and pilled pressure on Ghana.

Kwabena Owusu brought some new energy into the play of the Black Stars.

And shortly after his introduction, he was gifted a ball. Owusu took the ball to the Cameroonians created space and shot it at goal, but `unfortunately, he was denied by the woodwork.

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Ghana seized control of the game and it appeared Kwesi Appiah’s decision to bring on Asamoah Gyan and Kwabena Owusu improved the play of Ghana. The Black Stars took control of possession in the die embers and created some decent opportunities that could have resulted in a goal.

The records still stands that Ghana have never beaten Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) (L2, D3).

All their three group games in the AFCON have ended in a draw.

The Black Stars also ensured that they have not lost a second group game in the AFCON since their 2-1 loss against Togo in 1998.

The Black Stars settled for a goalless draw against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Saturday, June 29 in their second Group F clash in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

AFCON 2019 Review: Ghana share the spoils with Cameroon

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The Black Stars are yet to beat the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in their four previous meetings in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Team news and match facts

Cameroon have a good record when bidding to retain this trophy, finishing as runners-up in 1986 after a 1984 triumph and securing back-to-back successes in 2000 and 2002.

Cameroon posted a comfortable 2-0 win in their opening fixture against Guinea Bissau and will be hoping to record back to back group stage victories when they take on Ghana in the second round of group fixtures.

Yaya Banana's header and Stephane Bahoken's right-footed strike handed all the three points against Equatorial Guinea.

Coach Clarence Seedorf is likely to maintain the squad that recorded a 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea.

There are no injury concerns in the camp of Cameroon heading into the tie.

The Black Stars remain the only side to have reached either the semi-finals or the final of every Africa Cup of Nations since 2008. An African record of at least six consecutive semi-finals, but they have nothing to show for it in terms of silverware.

Ghana have failed to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the past 37 years. They last won the AFCON in 1982.

Cameroon have won the AFCON five times, one more than Ghana, but surprisingly, they achieved all their five triumphs after Ghana had won all their four.

The Black Stars last won the competition in 1982, while Cameroon first won it in 1984.

Kwesi Appiah is expected to make about three changes to his team against Cameroon. John Boye and Thomas Agyapong have been ruled out of the tie with suspension and injury, respectively.

Andre Ayew who received a knockout against Benin has reportedly declared himself fit for the game, but he might not be rushed into the clash against Cameroon, so he is likely to start from the bench.

Jordan Ayew put up a stellar performance against Benin. He scored and assisted his senior brother Andre Ayew’s goal and crowned it with the man of the match award.

Jordan will be very keen if Ghana want to break the jinx against Cameroon.

Kwesi Appiah’s side is full of proven performers with plenty of experience, but they do have a history of faltering in big matches at the Africa Cup of Nations.

After finishing as runners-up twice and being beaten semi-finalists on three other occasions in the last five renewals, the pressure is on to perform.

Ghana have dominated Cameroon in all competitions. The four times champions of Africa have reigned supreme in six (6) of their 15 meetings against the five times champions, with three (3) going in favour of the latter, while six (6) have ended in a draw.

The Black Stars have never beaten the Indomitable Lions in their four previous meetings in the AFCON (W2, D2).

Cameroon edged Ghana 2-0 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semis en route to becoming champions, which was the last time they faced off.

Cameroon will be brewing with confidence as they face Ghana who are under pressure in their second Group F encounter on Saturday at the Ismaily Sports Stadium.

Ghana to battle with Cameroon in rematch of 2017 AFCON semis

The kick-off time is 5:00 pm Ghanaian time.

Morocco have won their last two contests with Ivory Coast in all competitions, as many as in their previous 11 games against the Elephants (D3, L6).

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The Atlas Lions have to dig deep to overcome Namibia test and it was through an own goal. Iitamunua Keimuine not turned Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick into his own net, a draw would have been very likely.

Hakim Ziyech the most dangerous attacking player in the Morocco set up is yet to replicate his club form at Ajax last season. He will be keen in their game against Ivory Coast.

Coach of Morocco Herve Renard guided Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON triumph., so he knows the team very well.

While each squad is blessed with some of the best talents at the tournament, Renard appears to have made a veiled attempt to position Ivory Coast as favourites, quipping that thinking about the Elephants' strength in depth makes his head hurt.

"This is a special game for me," the Frenchman said. "Every game against Ivory Coast is always a tough one, even after my time with them.

"You have to focus on the game, a match that is currently a group match. The objective of both teams is to get out of the group.

"I was at the stadium for the match against South Africa and I found a team mastering its game. It is [usually] a habit of Ivorians to have difficult starts to competitions.

"I know the coach, this is a coach who has character and his team has talented players on the field, on the bench. I don't think about it, otherwise you get headaches."

Ivory Coast have lost only once in their last 18 group-stage games in the Africa Cup of Nations (W11 D6). That loss was in January 2017 against Morocco.

The Atlas Lions have won their last three group stage games in the Africa Cup of Nations, their longest streak at this level of the tournament since January 2000 (also three).

Ivory Coast managed to win their first ever meeting against South Africa in their opener. Jonathan Kodjia’s strike in the second half was the difference between the two teams and that should be enough to see him retain his place in the side

However, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha will be pushing for a start after coming off the bench in the first game.

Nicolas Pepe of Lille who is on the wish list of several European clubs put up an average performance. But his free kicks were dangerous on the day, one hit the crossbar and the other saved by the goalkeeper. Pepe will however, play a crucial role when they face Morocco on Friday.

A 2-0 win away to Ivory Coast in November 2017 secured Morocco's place in Russia and, although this will be their first meeting since, Kamara insists vengeance is not on the mind of his players.

"We're not here for revenge," said head coach Kamara, who oversaw Ivory Coast's Under-20s when Renard was in charge of the senior side.

"In football, every match is different to deal with. Our main aim is to qualify, not to beat Morocco and then go home.

"I'm glad to see Renard again. He's Morocco's coach now and I'm Ivory Coast's, and both of us aim for our teams to qualify.

"Renard is used to the big competitions and this particular one relies on strength, but we will still play to win and qualify."

The Elephants have faced the Atlas Lions 21 times. It is a close contest, with Ivory Coast having won seven against six by Morocco, with eight games ending in a draw,

Ivory Coast have lost only one of their four games in the Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco, two.

Morocco will battle it out with Ivory Coast on Friday in a game which is expected to be cagey at the Al-Salam Stadium.

Morocco take on Ivory Coast in titanic clash in Group D

The winner of the Group C topliner will book their ticket to the knock stage of the competition.

This tie has been dubbed a clash between Sadio Mane and Ryad Mahrez as the spotlight is going to be on the two delightful players in the Premier League.

Senegal have won three of their previous five games in the Africa Cup of Nations (D2), as many as in their previous 17 (D4 L10).

The Teranga Lions have never lifted this trophy, but they are the highest-ranked team in the FIFA ratings at 22 and have all the tools to go a long way in Egypt.

Sadio Mane missed Senegal’s opener against Tanzania due suspension, so he is expected to bring more life to the attack of the Teranga Lions in their clash against Algeria.

Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Cheikhou Kouyate of Crystal Palace are familiar faces, while Napoli centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly has been linked with Manchester United.

When about Mahrez, Senegal boss Aliou Cisse told a pre-match news conference: "There's no anti-Mahrez plan or similar for [Sofiane] Feghouli or [Yacine] Brahimi. They're all good players."

Of Mane, he added: "The return of Sadio Mane can bring us more, he is one of our leaders and he is ready."

After winning against Kenya (2-0), Algeria could win two Africa Cup of Nations games in a row for the first time since 1996 (also two).

The Desert Foxes started the 2019 AFCON campaign with a win against their opponent.

Ryad Mahrez their talisman was on the scoresheet so as their new goal machine Baghdad Bounedjah, hitting the back of the net from the spot kick.

They will be a major threat for the solid Senegalese defence which has a world class centreback in the person of Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli in the fold.

They will be keen in their clash against the Teranga Lions of Senegal, since how well they will fare will go the long way to hand them a good result in this tie.

Islam Slimani has scored Algeria's past two goals against Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria have dominated their opponents Senegal in their previous clashes. In 20 meetings the Desert Foxes have won 11, as against 4 by the Teranga Lions, with five games ending in a draw.

Senegal are yet to beat Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations. The North African have won two with one game ending in a draw.

Senegal face Algeria in Group C top liner

The Teranga Lions will engage their Algerian counterparts on Thursday at the Air Defense Sports Stadium at 5:00pm Ghanaian time. 

Ghana went down in the second minute when Michael Pote of Benin rounded Lumor Agbenyenu after he was put through before he slotted the ball home.

Pote's goal is the fastest in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) thus far.

But Andrew Ayew snatched the equaliser for the Black Stars seven minutes afterwards to emerge as Ghana's all-time leading top scorer in the AFCON with nine goals.

Before Jordan Ayew put Ghana in the driving seat a few minutes to the half time break.

The tide changed after the break when John Boye was handed a second booking for delaying tactics and Benin capitalised on that to secure the equaliser.

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Mickael Pote put the Squirrels on level pegging when he scored from a nice backheel in the 77th minute.

Thomas Partey was denied by the Benin goalkeeper when his well-taken freekick was pushed to the corner kick.

Mounier, the dangerman for the Squirrels only threat in front of goal was his free-kick which forced Richard Ofori to react to save the situation.

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Ghana’s Christian Atsu was a pale shadow of himself. He failed to take on his opponents and his runs were awful.

The Black Stars of Ghana were held to a 2-2 draw in their opening Group F opener at the Ismaily Sports Stadium on Tuesday, June 25.

Ghana settle for 2-2 draw against Benin in Group F opener

Boye saw red for a second bookable offense. He left a free-kick for goalkeeper Richard Ofori to take and the centre referee who suspected him of mapping up delaying tactics flashed the yellow card at him in what was his second bookable offense in the game.

John Boye was shown a yellow card in the first half for fouling his opponent.

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In the game Mickael Pote fired Benin into the lead under two minutes, which is the fastest goal thus far in the competition.

But Andre Ayew snatched the equaliser for the Black Stars seven minutes afterwards.

Pote put the Squirrels on level pegging when he scored from a nice backheel in the 77th minute.

Ghanaian defender John Boye has entered into the record books of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the first player to be sent off.

John Boye gets Red Card, first player to be sent off in AFCON 2019

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Andre Ayew in the ninth minute hit the back of the net against the Squirrels of Benin on Tuesday.

Ghana accepted the challenge and responded immediately when captain Andre Ayew beat his marker before he struck the ball at the blind side of the Benin goalie.

The goal is Andre Ayew's ninth goal for the Black Stars in the continent's showpiece.

Before the game Andre Ayew and Asamoah Gyan were tied on eight goals each for Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ayew made his AFCON debut in 2008 when Ghana hosted the rest of Africa.

Ghana skipper Andre Ayew is now Ghana’s all-time top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations after he scored against Benin on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Andre Ayew surpasses Asamoah Gyan as Ghana’s all-time top scorer in AFCON

1-Herve Renard is the only coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.

3- teams will be making their Cup of Nations debut in this year’s edition: Burundi, Mauritania and Madagascar. That reduces to 13 the number of African countries never to have been represented at their continent’s showpiece tournament.

2 – persons are the only men to win the AFCON as both player and coach: Egypt’s Mahmoud El-Gohary (1959 and 1998) and the late Stephen Keshi of Nigeria (1994 and 2013).

2- coaches have won the most titles in the anal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON): CK Gyamfi of Ghana (1963, 1965 and 1982) and Hassan Shehata (2006, 2008 and 2010)