'Like Messi and international trophies' - Ghanaians react to U23 Afcon defeat to Cote d'Ivoire

For the third time in 2019, Ghana have been suffered a penalty shootout heartache at an international tournament.

And for the third straight time, Ghana have lost out to Cote d'Ivoire on penalties at a major championship. Tuesday's 3-2 loss in the semi-final of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt is the latest disappointment.

After twice coming back from behind to hold the young Elephants to a 2-2 after extra-time time, the Black Meteors' hopes of securing a first qualification for the Olympic Games since 2004 hit a snag following the shoot-out loss at Cairo International Stadium.

It adds to Ghana's penalty woes, having been knocked out of the 2019 Afcon on penalties in the Round of 16 by Tunisia and lost to Senegal in the final of the 2019 Wafu Cup of Nations.

It was also the third straight loss to the Ivorians at major tournaments following defeats in the final of the 1992 and 2015 Afcon finals.

Below are some social media reaction after the latest setback on Tuesday:

Ghana and penalties be like Messi then international trophy #BlackMeteors

— PlayBoi Young ???? (@PlayBoi_Young44) November 19, 2019

Ghana's penalty shoot-outs so far.. This year alone????????????

Ghana vs Tunisia AFCON..... ????????Lost?
Ghana vs Senegal WAFU....????????Lost?
Ghana vs Ivory Coast U23.... ????????Lost?

This is really bad????????????????#BlackMeteors

— P•H•A•R•R•E•L•L???????????????? (@_MizterLover_) November 19, 2019

Good thing my schedule was too packed for football. This game would have finished me.

— Godfred Akoto Boafo (@eastsportsman) November 19, 2019

If Kwabena Owusu was privy to penalty shootouts, especially those that involved Ghana, he would have known that such balls can't beat the goalkeeper.

Addae, Adiyiah, 2 Mensahs, Gyan etc.

— Muftawu Nabila Abdulai (@Muftawu_Nabila) November 19, 2019

yet another penalty elimination, from #BlackStars to #BlackMeteors, can't we just do me practice? #howCanTheLoveCome

— N.G.O (@ngoahamos) November 19, 2019