Reigning World and African youth champions Ghana meekly surrendered the titles Sunday after conceding a stoppage-time goal against Cameroon in a 1-1 draw. Cameroon were assured of reaching the African semi-finals since Thursday and topped Group B with seven points followed by Nigeria with six, Ghana two and Gambia one.
Giant France-based striker Kwane Nsor offered Ghana hope with a 21st-minute goal at Dobsonville Stadium in this vast township south-west of Johannesburg only for Emmanuel Mbongo to equalise on 92 minutes. Nigeria clinched the other African semi-finals place with a 2-0 victory over Gambia through second half goals from Olanrewaju Kayode and Ramon Azeez in a match played simultaneously at Milpark Stadium in Johannesburg.
Ghana, who defeated Brazil and Cameroon to claim the 2009 World and African titles, had to win their last game to have any chance of survival and also needed a draw or Gambian victory in the other match.
But even a Ghanaian victory would not have mattered in the end because of the Flying Eagles' success which set up a Thursday semi-final with Group A winners Mali while Cameroon face Egypt in the other half of the draw.
South Africa, who managed just one unconvincing win in three matches despite home advantage, shock qualifiers Lesotho, Ghana and Gambia were eliminated after the mini-league phase. Cameroon rested many first choices and fell behind when a corner was headed to Nsor, who turned smartly and struck the ball into the net off the right hand of goalkeeper Eric Ngana.
Ghana were dangerous at set pieces and Ngana did well to block a header from Richmond Boakye-Viadom before half-time. Another corner produced the equaliser with Edgar Sally swinging the ball across for Mbongo to nod powerfully home.
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