2027 AFCONQ: Ghana suffer second straight defeat as The Gambia hit four

Ghana suffered a second successive defeat in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after losing 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars, desperate to return to the continental showpiece after missing the 2025 tournament, were looking to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat by Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group C fixture.

Carlos Queiroz made several changes to his starting XI, with Benjamin Asare handed his debut in goal.

Jonas Adjetey replaced Alexander Djiku in defence, while Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Peprah and Gideon Mensah retained their places.

Kwasi Sibo and Caleb Yirenkyi started in midfield, with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Christopher Bonsu Baah and Felix Afena-Gyan leading Ghana’s attack.

Ghana started brightly and dominated possession during the opening stages, although they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

The Gambia produced the first real threat in the 12th minute when a shot from the edge of the box failed to trouble Asare.

Ghana gradually grew into the contest and came close to opening the scoring through Afena-Gyan, whose effort was deflected behind for a corner.

The hosts were then awarded a penalty after Jerome Opoku was brought down inside the Gambian penalty area.

Ernest Nuamah stepped up and calmly converted from the spot in the 27th minute to give Ghana the lead.

The Black Stars continued to control possession and appeared comfortable, but The Gambia almost levelled three minutes later when Opoku produced an important block to deny the visitors.

Ghana responded with a quick counter-attack and won a free-kick after Afena-Gyan was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.

The striker took responsibility and curled the resulting free-kick into the net to put Ghana 2-0 up.

But the Scorpions responded immediately.

Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty after bringing down an opponent inside the box, and Muhammed Badamosi converted in the 37th minute to reduce the deficit.

The goal gave The Gambia renewed confidence and they completed a remarkable comeback before half-time.

Omar Colley equalised in the 42nd minute as Ghana’s defence struggled to deal with the visitors’ pressure.

The teams went into the break level at 2-2.

Queiroz made two changes at half-time, bringing on Benjamin Tetteh for Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ibrahim Sulemana for Sibo.

Ghana resumed on the front foot and continued to see more of the ball, but they struggled to turn their possession into clear chances.

Nuamah went close to restoring Ghana’s lead, but his effort drifted wide.

The Gambia then punished another defensive mistake in the 68th minute.

A poor clearance by Mensah presented Ebrima Colley with an opportunity, and he made no mistake to put the visitors 3-2 ahead.

Ghana pushed forward in search of an equaliser, and Nuamah came close again in the 79th minute, but his powerful effort failed to beat the Gambian defence.

The Black Stars dominated possession and piled on the pressure during the closing stages, but they were unable to find a way through.

Instead, The Gambia put the result beyond doubt deep into stoppage time when Ebrima Colley completed the scoring with a well-worked finish.

The 4-2 defeat leaves Ghana bottom of Group C without a point after two matches, having conceded six goals in the process.

This is the first time the Black Stars has conceded four goals against an opposition in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The Black Stars will now regroup next month for a double-header against Somalia as they look to revive their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.