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Bloemfontein - A storming second half performance from Libya earned a 1-1 draw with Ghana in their African Nations Championship (Chan) Group C match, at the Free State Stadium on Friday evening.
The first 20 minutes of the game belonged to Ghana - the west African side launching waves of attack.
The high-intensity approach paid off, as the Black Stars took the lead after just five minutes when Mohammed Yahaya got on the end of Richard Mpong’s free kick from out wide, powering an unstoppable header past Libyan keeper Mohamed Fathi Abdaula.
Mallam Yahaya was by far the biggest threat for the west Africans and nearly added a second goal on 43 minutes when he went on a swerving run, cutting inside two defenders before his parting shot was saved by Abdaula.
In the second half the Mediterranean Knights looked far more dangerous in attack as they put the Ghana goal under pressure on a regular basis.
Five minutes after the restart there was a chance for Elmutasem Abushnaf, but his header went straight at Ghana keeper Stephen Adams.
Twelve minutes later the Black Stars suffered a big setback when their talisman Yahaya was booked for diving -- a second yellow in the tournament for the striker, which means he misses the next game.
Chances continued to arrive, mainly in the Ghana box, and Libya had a great chance to level the game on 69 minutes, but Muataz Fadel headed wide.
The north African side were however able to draw even on 71 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Nuru Sulley brought down Mohamed Ghanudi in a clumsy challenge, leaving Faisal Ali to slot home the equaliser from the spot.
It was the Libyans who appeared the side more likely to go on and grab a winner after that point, but Adams made some excellent saves to ensure his side were able to get the point.
The Black Stars moved to four points from two matches, ahead of their final Group C match against Ethiopia.
