Ghana and Mozambique play for another chance at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

Bets probably wouldn't have even been taken on Cape Verde and Mozambique to come first and second in the pool containing Egypt and Ghana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Mozambique team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will become the first squad from the country to reach the last-16 of the tournament if they beat Ghana and Egypt fail to overcome Cape Verde. REUTERS - STRINGER

But that could be the scenario on Monday night in Cote d'Ivoire should Cape Verde beat or draw with Egypt and Mozambique overcome Ghana.

The matches will take place simultaneously at 8pm local time at the Alassane Outtara Stadium and Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

And while Egypt and Ghana are expected to fashion an escape, their precarity highlights the progress of putative weaker footballing nations over the past decade.

"We are all aware that this is a situation that we'd rather not be in," said Ghana boss Chris Hughton on the eve of the clash.

"But the conversation isn't difficult with the players. We know what we have to do. We have to win and we have to be physically and mentally prepared for it."

Were Ghana to be eliminated from the competition, it would be their second consecutive exit from the tournament after the group stages and illustrate the decline.

Move

Between 2008 and 2017, Ghana reached six consecutive semi-finals and went onto the final in 2010 and 2015 where they were beaten by Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire respectively 

Defeat in the last 16 in Egypt in 2019 erased the hope of a fifth title and the first since 1982.

The despair was compounded in 2021 in Cameroon where Ghana lost to Comoros 3-2 in their final pool match after skipper André Ayew was sent off.

Failure to progress in January 2024 would likely spell the end of Hughton's tenure after just over a year.

"The titles the country won are always a reference point," said Hughton.

"There's always pressure on you if you are a Black Stars player or the coach. You have to accept that as part of the game and welcome the process."

Ghana's players attends a training session at Municipal stadium in Bingerville, Abidjan, on January 17, 2024. AFP - FRANCK FIFE

Change

Days for the partisans are long gone when the likes of Michael Essien, Sully Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah and Asamoah Gyan would rove round fields causing havoc and strife among opposition defences.

Their glitter though still affords a shine to the Black Stars. "We know Ghana are the favourites," said Mozambique coach Chiquinho Conde.

"They have experience but we've prepared well for the game. We know it will be difficult as both teams want to win and so it will be a kind of final."

Mozambique created the first shock of the tournament on 14 January when they led Egypt 2-1 midway through eight minutes of second-half stoppage-time.

But Mo Salah converted a penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw for the Egyptians. Mozambique were outclassed 4-2 by Cape Verde in the second match on 19 January.

"We need to recover the dynamic of the first game against Egypt and give 200 percent so that we can continue in the competition," Conde added.

A first win in their fifth appearance at the Cup of Nations would bring a double reward either as Group B runner-up or progress to the last-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams. 

"Ghana don't have peace of mind," Conde said. "All our players and coaches know we have to give our best, do the simple things and believe in our strategy. We will not go into the game as losers."