Ghana’s troubled start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers deepened on another painful night as the Black Stars surrendered a two-goal lead before suffering a home defeat to The Gambia.
The result leaves Ghana without a point from their opening two matches and marks another frustrating chapter for the four-time African champions.
It was also Carlos Queiroz’s first match on Ghanaian soil, and the evening initially looked set to be a memorable one for the Portuguese coach.
Ghana made an energetic start, dominating possession, taking the game to The Gambia and creating several early chances. Their pressure finally paid off in the 27th minute when defender Jerome Opoku was brought down inside the box after a corner, earning the Black Stars a penalty.
Ernest Nuamah took responsibility and calmly converted from the spot to put Ghana ahead and spark celebrations among the home supporters.
The Black Stars continued to look comfortable, and their advantage doubled when Afene Gyan, making his first start in more than four years, produced a superb free-kick finish to make it 2–0.
With Ghana seemingly in control, few expected the dramatic collapse that followed.
The Gambia were handed a lifeline when captain Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty, which the visitors converted to reduce the deficit. Only five minutes later, another defensive lapse allowed The Gambia to equalise before the break.
A game Ghana appeared to have under control at 2–0 had suddenly become 2–2.
The Black Stars came out after halftime looking to regain the lead, but defensive problems continued to undermine their efforts. Mensah, already having endured a difficult evening, was once again involved in a costly incident as The Gambia capitalised to take the lead.
Ghana threw everything forward in search of an equaliser and continued to push until the closing stages.
However, the visitors held their nerve and struck late to complete the comeback, claim all three points and stun the home crowd, beating Ghana 4-2.
The defeat leaves Ghana facing another difficult AFCON qualifying campaign.
It also extends the Black Stars’ winless run in AFCON qualifying to eight matches, dating back to the 2025 edition, when they failed to win any of their six qualifying matches.
After two games in the 2027 qualifiers, Ghana remain pointless, sit at the bottom of their group and have conceded six goals.
