Ghana will need to find a win in their next game at the African Nations Championship against Libya on Thursday after picking a point from their opening match on Tuesday.

Coming from behind during the qualifying campaign had been a feature in Ghana’s progress to the Championship, but in the opening Group B game, the Black Stars showed same attitude in tournament which is designed exclusively for players who play in their domestic leagues.

Ghana were forced to come from two goals down to draw 2-2 in the opening fixture against Zimbabwe at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

The Black Stars however planted the ball into the net first but Malawian referee, Lwanja Verson ruled out Francis Coffie’s effort as an offside in the 3rd minute.

Two minutes later, the Black Stars had to pick the ball from the back of Philemon McCarthy net as Karuru Ovidy, who was left unmarked headed in a cross from the left.

Ghana pushed for the equaliser but struggled to break down the Zebras who were much physical.

Marufu Philip latched onto a miscued back-pass from the head of Rahim Ayew to his goalkeeper to double the lead for Zimbabwe in the 37th minute.

With the scores staying at 2-0 for the Zebras and the end of the first half approaching, Ayew redeemed himself when he struck in a shot from six yards to pull a goal back for Ghana.

The midfielder’s goal brought some relief as Ghana headed into the break 1-2 down.

The Black Stars returned from recess with the same team but it was Zimbabwe who seized the initiative as they pushed the third goal.

Despite the threat posed by the Zebras, it was Ghana that drew level in the 67th minute.

The hero for the day, Rahim Ayew, surged forward on the right flank, got into the box and angled a to the near post which goalkeeper, Manyatera Willard spilled into the post.

At 2-2, there was everything to play for as Ghana made its first substitution. Striker Yaw made way for Kwadwo Poku.

But it was the Zimbabweans who came close to scoring when Marufu unleashed a shot that rattled the crossbar and bounced back into play.

The Black Stars bench made two changes, bringing on Stephen Manu and Isaac Owusu for Francis Coffie and Rahim Ayew.

Ghana were reduced to ten men after Ofosu Appiah was shown the red card for fouling Marufu.

With a man down, the Black Stars occasionally broke forward but failed to break through the defence of their opponents as Zimbabwe went close again in injury time but goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy gathered a low effort by Marufu, arguably the best player of the Zebras.

Ghana line up:

Philemon McCarthy, Samuel Inkoom, Habib Mohammed, Ofosu Appiah, Osei Bonsu, Daniel Yeboah, Rahim Ayew/Isaac Owusu, Edmund Owusu-Ansah, Yaw Antwi/Kwadwo Poku, Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Francis Coffie/Stephen Manu