The Gambia produced a stunning comeback to beat Ghana 4-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point after
The Gambia produced a stunning comeback to beat Ghana 4-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point after two matches.
Goals from Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena-Gyan gave Ghana a two-goal cushion, but Mohammed Badamosi and Omar Colley each scored in the first half to restore parity, with Konyaspor’s Ebrima Colley scoring twice to condemn Ghana to back-to-back defeats. Kick-off was at 4pm, and the match was refereed by Morocco’s Kech Chaf Mustapha, who had a very decent game.
Carlos Queiroz made three changes following the defeat in Côte d’Ivoire. Benjamin Asare started in goal, Jonas Adjetey came in for the injured Alexander Djiku, and Felix Afena-Gyan took Christopher Bonsu Baah’s place in attack.
Ghana began confidently and dominated possession, and were awarded a penalty when Jerome Opoku was fouled in the box from an Abdul Fatawu Issahaku corner.
Ernest Nuamah kept his composure and sent the spot-kick into the bottom corner in the 27th minute. Six minutes later Afena-Gyan doubled the lead with a fine low drive, and the home crowd sensed a first win of the campaign.
The Scorpions, missing star man Yankuba Minteh, refused to fold. Mohammed Badamosi pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, and Omar Colley found space in the box to level before the break. Ghana’s two-goal advantage had lasted just four minutes.
After the interval, Gambia looked transformed. Queiroz responded with a double change, bringing on Benjamin Tetteh and Ibrahim Sulemana for Brandon Thomas-Asante and Kwasi Sibo, but the visitors kept the initiative.
In the 71st minute, a swift counter-attack exposed the Ghana defence, and Ebrima Colley slotted home to make it 3-2, silencing the stadium.
Queiroz then introduced Augustine Boakye and Bonsu Baah for Kojo Peprah Oppong and Nuamah in search of an equaliser, but with Gambia sitting deep, Ghana created little.
Ebrima Colley in the 88th minute scored his second and Gambia’s fourth to round up a historic afternoon for the Scorpions, recording a 4-2 victory against Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The numbers told the story: Ghana enjoyed 71 per cent possession and nine shots, while Gambia put four of their six attempts on target.
The result, reportedly Gambia’s first win over Ghana in 33 years, lifts the Scorpions to the top of Group C with six points from two games after their opening 2-1 victory over Somalia.
For Ghana, it is a second straight defeat, with six goals conceded in two matches, and the first time they have shipped four in an AFCON qualifier.
Queiroz must find quick answers before the double-header against Somalia next month, with qualification hopes already under strain.
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