Benin hold Ghana to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Stade de Kégué in an enticing Group A clash of the ongoing 2024 WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship.
Coach Desmond Ofei named a strong line up that comprised of Jerry Afriyie, Misbau Aziz, Mohaison Mahmoud, Benjamin Twum, captain Edwin Kuffour Asamoah and others.
The Black Satellites didn't really make a good start to the game but opened the scoring account in the 13th minute through Jerry Afriyie who scored at a close range after a good team build up.
Twelve minutes later, Benin equalized through Derrick Djokoui whose feeble header was failed to be handled properly by goalkeeper Saeed Yakubu.
With five minutes to half time, Gabriel Moulero scored with a beauty after catching the Ghanaian goalie off his line to give the Young Squirrels the lead for the first time in the game.
In the second half, Ghana bounced back stronger and dominated in terms of possession but were struggling to break the opposition defense to get themselves back on level pegging.
The two-time WAFU champions pushed more men forward subsequently in search of the leveller and probably the winner but most of their attacks were not enough to get them the goal.
Benin also organised well and were very solid at the back to preserve their lead until they conceded a penalty in the additional time after one of their players handled the ball in their area.
Jerry Afriyie once again stepped up and sent goalkeeper Kenzo Guezo the wrong way to snatch the equalizer for the Satellites.
In the first game of Group A, hosts Togo got held by Niger to also a pulsating 2-2 draw in a thrilling tournament opener.
The Black Satellites will face Niger in the second group games on Sunday, October 20, at the same venue.
