Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Mozambique 2-2 Benin



Stephane Sessegnon (R) of Benin vies for the ball

Benin earned their first ever point in the Africa Cup of Nations, but were denied victory after Mozambique came back from 2-0 down to earn a draw.

Razak Omotoyossi scored Benin's first with a 15th-minute penalty after goalkeeper Rafael had brought him down.

Dario Khan's own goal from a defensive mix-up put the Squirrels 2-0 up.

But Mozambique's Lobo headed in for their first and Goncalves' strike after a mistake from the Benin goalkeeper ensured the match ended all square.

The result means both sides are still waiting for their first victory at the Africa Cup of Nations, but at least Benin can celebrate ending their losing streak in the tournament.

Mozambique seemed to start the brighter of the two, stringing passes together in the opening 10 minutes.

But in the 15th minute their good early work was undone when Omotoyossi was brought down in the penalty box by goalkeeper Rafael, when he seemed to be through on goal.

The foul earned Rafael a yellow card and Omotoyossi picked himself up to score the resulting penalty.

Benin gained confidence from the goal and began to take control of the game.

The pressure paid off in the 20th minute after the Mozambique defence failed to clear the ball inside their penalty area.

The resulting confusion led Khan to stab the ball into his own net.

The Mozambique defence was coming apart at the seams, and the worst culprit was goalkeeper Rafael.

But completely against the run of play, Lobo who had escaped a yellow card after a lunging foul, rose highest to head in a from a corner in the 29th minute.

Sessegnon could have restored his side's two-goal lead after good work from Omotoyossi on the left hand side but was denied by the Mozambique defence.

Benin started the second half brightly but Omotoyossi failed to get the ball under control and turn it into the net.

And it was Mozambique who scored 10 minutes after the restart when Benin goalkeeper Djidonou ran outside the penalty box to clear into touch.

Mozambique took a quick throw-in and Goncalves showed awareness to score with Djidonou nowhere near his posts.

After that both teams continued press for a winning goal with the two goalkeepers pulling off some very good saves.

Benin had the best move of the closing stages as Sessegnon had a goal bound header, brilliantly turned away by Rafael.

But in the end neither team could find the goal that would have given them victory.

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