Ghana’s Black Stars gave their home fans a shock when they blew a two-goal lead and lost to The Gambia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The defeat on home soil deepened the team’s struggles in the 2027 campaign and led coach Carlos Queiroz to apologise to supporters.
The match started well for Ghana. They pressed The Gambia early and created several chances. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when defender Jerome Opoku was fouled in the box following a corner. Ernest Nuamah stepped up and calmly converted the penalty to put Ghana ahead.
The Black Stars appeared to be in control after that. Afene Gyan, making his first start in over four years, doubled the lead with a free-kick goal. At 2–0, Ghana looked set to secure a strong home win and build confidence.
But the game turned quickly. Captain Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty that The Gambia took to reduce the deficit. The visitors then capitalised on another defensive error five minutes later to level the score before halftime. Ghana went from a comfortable lead to a 2–2 draw in minutes.
The second half saw Ghana try to regain control, but defensive lapses continued. Mensah was involved in another mistake that allowed The Gambia to take the lead. Despite pushing hard for an equaliser, Ghana conceded a late goal. The visitors held on for a 4–2 win, leaving the home crowd stunned.
After the match, Queiroz expressed regret. “Myself, the staff and all the players were deeply sad about the result and we say sorry to the Ghana supporters,” he said. His words reflected the frustration inside the team after losing a match they seemed to have in hand.
The defeat extends Ghana’s winless run in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying to eight matches. The streak began in the 2025 qualifiers when Ghana failed to win any of their six games. The start to the 2027 qualifiers has been equally troubling. After two games, Ghana sits bottom of their group with no points and six goals conceded.
Under Queiroz, Ghana have shown attacking promise but have struggled defensively. The team’s inability to protect leads has cost them repeatedly. The loss to The Gambia was especially painful because Ghana did much of the work by building a two-goal advantage. Instead of closing the match, they let The Gambia back in and paid the price.
The coach’s apology acknowledged the disappointment felt not just by the players and staff but by the supporters who continue to expect better from the Black Stars. Ghana’s campaign is still open, but the margin for error is shrinking fast.
For Queiroz and his players, this defeat is a clear warning. The rebuilding process will require more than flashes of quality. It will require steady results, consistent concentration, and fewer costly mistakes.
According to 3News.
