Ghana conceded twice in stoppage time to throw away a two-goal lead to draw with Mozambique and almost certainly crash out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars looked set to progress to the last 16 thanks to two Jordan Ayew penalties, one in each half.
But Geny Catamo pulled one back from the spot on 91 minutes before Reinildo Mandava’s header broke Ghanaian hearts.
Mozambique finish bottom of Group B, while Ghana need a miracle to qualify as one of the four best third teams.
It is still mathematically possible for Chris Hughton’s side to qualify for the knockout stages but, with just two points to their name, they need enough results in other groups to progress.
If they exit the tournament, the four-time champions may have few complaints as they not only looked lethargic throughout against the Mambas but also in their previous outings.
When the scoreboard went up for six minutes of added time, the West Africans took the lead as runners-up, pipping Egypt, who drew with Cape Verde in Monday night’s other Group B game.
And while the Pharaohs briefly took the lead, they were pegged back in the 99th minute. 2-2 draw – meaning Ghana would have gone through at the expense of Egypt had the Black Stars not capitulated.
A tale of three penalties – and two Ayews
Ghana were fortunate to build up a 2-0 lead, with none of the penalty decisions awarded to them looking clear cut.
However, despite Mozambique’s vociferous appeals, the video assistant referee saw no reason to ask the referee to overturn his calls for Nanani’s weak contact with Joseph Paincil and Madava’s handball.
The first penalty rewarded Ghana’s bright start, but their urgency disappeared after Crystal Palace striker Ayew put them in front and it was Mambas who created the best chances in open play.
Joao Bode was guilty of a glaring header miss, while Lau King also nodded wide and Bruno Langa was denied by Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
So when Ayew doubled their lead from the spot after Mandava parried Mohammed Kudus’ shot with his arm just wide of his body, it looked like the Black Stars would get away with their lowest performance.
Victory would almost certainly secure progression, either as runners-up if Egypt fail to win, or as the third-placed team with a healthy four points to their name.
But the tide turned when Andre Ayew’s pointless handball was punished by Catamo’s cool penalty – and three minutes later, Mandava’s header eluded Ofori and barely found the top corner.
The late collapse will increase the pressure on boss Hughton, whose side have won just one of their last eight games and are now in danger of a second consecutive Afcon group exit.
After receipt just one point on the 2021 edition, Ghana fared little better in Ivory Coast and are now winless in their last seven Afcon finals – a huge slump for the four-time champions.
For Mozambique, meanwhile, there was plenty to celebrate despite finishing bottom – as against Egypt in their opening game, they showed they could compete with one of the continent’s heavyweights.
They are yet to record an Afcon finals win after 15 attempts, but their performances here, and against the Pharaohs – when they were only denied a penalty by Mohamed Salah – suggest the wait may not be much longer.
But perhaps the biggest winners from this game were host nation Ivory Coast – whose hopes of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams look much brighter than they did after 4-0 Trump from Equatorial Guinea earlier on Monday.
Lining up
Mozambique
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 22Official Urrubal
- 2da Conceição David MatolaReservation at 84 minutes
- 17SiteReservation at 69 minutes
- 15Isnar MadavaReservation at 67 minutes
- 5Langa
- 16AmadeSubstituted forGaspar Pelebein the 73′minutes
- 4JohnSubstituted forRatifoin the 73′minutes
- 20Cipriano CatamoReservation at 31 minutes
- 21Martins GuimaraesSubstituted forda Conceição Nangyin the 87′minutes
- 19QuemboSubstituted forVilanculosin the 61′minutes
- 9Ha KingSubstituted forJohn Bondein the 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Siluanium
- 3Malebana
- 6Momade
- 7Gaspar Pelebe
- 8Dove
- 10Palmirim David Baúque
- 11John Bonde
- 12Faza João
- 13Ratifo
- 14Makanza
- 18Vilanculos
- 23da Conceição Nangy
Ghana
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ofori
- 3OdoiSubstituted forSeiduin the 72′minutes
- 23DzikuReservation at 62 minutes
- 6Salisou
- 14Mensah
- 8AsimerouReservation at 28 minutesSubstituted forDadin the 37′minutesReservation at 58 minutes
- 21Abdul Samed
- 13PaintsilSubstituted forAn Ayewin the 45′minutesReservation at 49 minutes
- 20CongratulationsSubstituted forWilliamsin the 89′minutes
- 9J AyewReservation at 83 minutes
- 25SemenSubstituted forAmarteyin the 72′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Seidu
- 10An Ayew
- 11Bukari
- 12Wollacott
- 15Owusu
- 16Ziggy
- 17Hamid
- 18Amartey
- 19Williams
- 24Nuamah
- 26Dad
- 27Sowah
Live text
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End of match, Mozambique 2, Ghana 2.
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End of second half, Mozambique 2, Ghana 2.
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Attempt failure. Gildo Lourenço (Mozambique) header from the center of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bruno Langa with a cross.
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Attempt blocked. Nanani (Mozambique) right footed shot from 35 yards is blocked. With the help of Reinildo.
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Ivan Urrubal (Mozambique) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Daniel Amartey (Ghana).
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Corner, Ghana. Reinildo conceded.
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Target! Mozambique 2, Ghana 2. Reinildo (Mozambique) header from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Shaquille after a corner.
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Corner, Mozambique. Courtesy of Richard Ofori.
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Attempt failure. Reinaldo (Mozambique) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
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Corner, Mozambique. Conceded by Mohamed Salisu.
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Attempt blocked. Mexer (Mozambique) right footed shot from over 35 yards is blocked. With the help of Reinildo.
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Target! Mozambique 1, Ghana 2. Geny Catamo (Mozambique) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner.
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André Ayew (Ghana) concedes a penalty for handball in the penalty area.
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Change, Ghana. Iñaki Williams replaces Mohammed Kudus.
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Dominguês (Mozambique) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Salis Abdul Samed (Ghana).
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Handball by Shaquille (Mozambique).
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Change, Mozambique. Shakil replaces Ghima.
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Change, Mozambique. João Bonde replaces Lau King.