- The Black Stars' biggest undoing has been their sloppy defense which has shipped out four goals in two matches.
- Ghana twice led against Egypt only to register a point.
- AFCON: Ghana staring at possibility of group stage heartbreak
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The ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d'Ivoire is entering a crucial phase with footballing powerhouses facing the disappointment of being eliminated from the group stage.
Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia are considered better teams than the rest owing to their past achievements.
However, the fevourites tag could be a thing of the past with some of the teams likely to exit the competition prematurely as surprises galore in the action-filled showpiece.
Ghana, the second most successful team in the competition after Egypt, having won the Afcon title four times, faces a herculean task against Mozambique on Monday in Group B which also has Cape Verde and Egypt.
The Black Stars are third in the Group with one point after losing 2-1 to already-qualified Cape Verde and nicking a point against second-placed Egypt following a 2-2 draw. Mozambique also have one point.
Cape Verde have a 100 percent winning record so far after also thumping Mozambique 3-0 meaning there's only one slot remaining in the group to be contested by Ghana and Egypt.
The Black Stars, just like the hosts Cote d'Ivoire in Group A, must win their match and hope that Egypt draws or loses against Cape Verde to enhance their chances of progress.
Ghana is in a precarious position because Cape Verde might opt to rotate their squad and give a chance to players that have had less game-time, handing Egypt the advantage in the deciding clash.
The Black Stars' biggest undoing has been their sloppy defense which has shipped out four goals in two matches.
Ghana produces top players who ply trade in different European Leagues but individual mistakes in defense have been a letdown. Cape Verde scored the winner in the 92nd minute against Ghana as a result of a defensive lapse.
Ghana twice led against Egypt only to register a point in a match Mohammed Salah could not play in the second half after picking up a knee injury.
Defenders Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, and Mohammed Salisu Salisu carry the hopes of the Ghanaians. Whoever will be picked in the starting line-up needs to step up.
In Mohammed Kudus, the West Ham forward can unlock even the meanest or tightest of defenses but fragility at the back is a cause for concern for Chris Haughton-coached side.
It remains to be seen whether the Black Stars who last won the Afcon title four decades ago will overcome adversaries Mozambique.