The Black Stars suffered a shocking 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, surrendering a two-goal lead in their second Group C match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ghana made a strong start to the game and took the lead in the 27th minute when Ernest Nuamah converted from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded after Jerome Opoku was fouled in the box following a corner from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. Six minutes later, Felix Afena-Gyan extended Ghana’s advantage with a well-executed free-kick, putting the Black Stars 2-0 ahead.
The Gambia, however, responded strongly before the break. Mohammed Badamosi reduced the deficit from the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty. Ebrima Colley then scored to bring the Scorpions level before half-time, completing a remarkable comeback within the opening 45 minutes.
Carlos Queiroz made two changes at the start of the second half, introducing Benjamin Tetteh and Ibrahim Sulemana for Brandon Thomas-Asante and Kwasi Sibo as Ghana looked to regain control of the match. Instead, The Gambia continued to threaten and completed the turnaround in the 71st minute when Badamosi finished a quick counter-attack to give the visitors a 3-2 lead.
Ghana responded with further substitutions, bringing on Augustine Boakye and Christopher Bonsu Baah for Kojo Oppong Peprah and Ernest Nuamah as the Black Stars searched for an equaliser. But Ghana struggled to find a way through the Gambian defence.
The Scorpions then put the result beyond doubt in the 88th minute when Ebrima Colley scored his second goal of the night, sealing an incredible 4-2 victory for The Gambia.
The defeat leaves Ghana bottom of Group C without a point from their opening two matches. The Black Stars had started their qualifying campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké, while The Gambia had opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Somalia.
The victory in Accra takes The Gambia to six points from their first two matches and leaves Ghana facing an early challenge in their bid to qualify for the 2027 AFCON.
The Black Stars still have four Group C matches to play, including further meetings with Somalia, Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
Ghana will now have to regroup for the remaining qualifiers after throwing away a 2-0 home advantage and suffering back-to-back defeats at the start of their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
