In February 2008, Accra hosted the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars were not in it.
Ghana had been chosen to host the 2008 tournament, which coincided with the country’s golden jubilee celebrations after fifty years of independence. The government upgraded stadiums in Accra and Kumasi and built new ones in Tamale and Sekondi-Takoradi. It was the first time Ghana had staged the tournament since 2000, when it co-hosted with Nigeria.
The Black Stars
Ghana, coached by the Frenchman Claude Le Roy, had a strong squad including Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and Asamoah Gyan. They opened the tournament in Accra with a win over Guinea and topped their group.
In the quarter-final, Ghana beat Nigeria 2-1 in a heated match in Accra, despite having a player sent off. The win over their old rivals sent the country into celebration.
The semi-final
In the semi-final in Accra, Ghana lost 1-0 to Cameroon. The defeat was a bitter disappointment for a home crowd that had expected to see the Black Stars in the final. Ghana then beat Côte d’Ivoire 4-2 in the third-place match in Kumasi.
The final
The final, played at the stadium in Accra, was between Egypt and Cameroon. Egypt won 1-0. Mohamed Aboutrika scored after the Cameroon defender Rigobert Song lost the ball to Mohamed Zidan. It was Egypt’s second consecutive title and their sixth in total. Their coach, Hassan Shehata, would lead them to a third straight title in 2010. Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o finished as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.
The tournament’s legacy
The new stadiums in Tamale and Sekondi remained, although they have struggled with maintenance and use. The tournament showed that Ghana could host a major event, and the country later hosted the 2023 African Games.
Memories
For many Ghanaian fans, 2008 is remembered for the atmosphere: flags on every car, face paint and street celebrations. It is also remembered as a missed chance to win the trophy at home.
Ghana’s wait
Ghana last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982. The Black Stars have reached several finals since, including in 1992, 2010 and 2015, and lost each one.
The 2008 final was played in Accra between two other countries. Ghanaians still talk about the trophy that was lifted in their capital by someone else.
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