The Gambia shocked Ghana with a 4-2 win at the Accra Sports Stadium, giving the Black Stars their second straight defeat in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Black Stars suffered the disappointing loss in their second Group C match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers on Tuesday evening.
The result comes only a few days after Ghana started the qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké. The Black Stars now have no points from their first two matches.
Ghana Take Early Control
Ghana started the match well in front of fewer than 10,000 fans at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars controlled much of the ball during the early stages of the game. However, they found it difficult to create clear chances.
Much of Ghana’s possession came in their own half as The Gambia kept a tight defensive shape and made it difficult for the hosts to find space.
Ghana finally took the lead in the 27th minute.
Jerome Opoku was brought down inside the penalty area after a corner-kick situation, giving Ghana a penalty.
Ernest Nuamah took the spot-kick and calmly sent the ball into the net to give Ghana a 1-0 lead.
The Black Stars continued to push forward and soon added a second goal.
Felix Afena-Gyan won possession before he was brought down just outside the penalty area.
Afena-Gyan took the free-kick himself and struck the ball with power. His effort went past the Gambian wall and into the net.
Ghana had a 2-0 lead and appeared to be in control of the match.
The Gambia Fight Back
The visitors, however, responded quickly and changed the game before half-time.
Gideon Mensah gave away a penalty after bringing down a Gambian attacker inside the box.
Assan Ceesay stepped up and converted the penalty to reduce Ghana’s lead to 2-1.
The Gambia then completed their comeback before the break.
In the 42nd minute, a delivery from Musa Barrow created an opportunity for Omar Colley. The defender finished the chance to make the score 2-2.
Ghana went into half-time level with The Gambia after losing their two-goal advantage.
The Gambia Complete the Comeback
After the break, The Gambia returned with more attacking purpose.
Ghana, meanwhile, became more cautious when they had the ball. The Black Stars were unable to regain the control they had shown at the start of the match.
This gave The Gambia more confidence as the visitors continued to threaten Ghana’s defence.
The Gambia eventually took the lead after another defensive mistake from Gideon Mensah gave Colley an opportunity.
The defender made no mistake and scored again to put The Gambia 3-2 ahead.
Ghana then pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
However, committing more players into attack left spaces at the back.
The Gambia took advantage in stoppage time when they launched a quick counterattack.
Colley completed his hat-trick in the 92nd minute to give The Gambia a 4-2 victory.
Ghana Face Early Setback
The result is a historic one for The Gambia, as it is their first victory over Ghana in 33 years.
For the Black Stars, the defeat is another setback in their attempt to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana will now need to regroup and improve both their defending and finishing as they try to get their qualification campaign back on track.
