The Black Stars suffered a painful 4-2 defeat to The Gambia on Tuesday after failing to protect a two-goal lead in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The result leaves Ghana without a point from their opening two matches, having also lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening fixture in Bouaké.
Ghana looked firmly in control after taking a 2-0 lead, but The Gambia produced a remarkable comeback, scoring four times to leave the Black Stars facing another setback in their bid to return to the continental showpiece.
Ernest Nuamah opened the scoring in the 27th minute from the penalty spot after Ghana were awarded a spot-kick following a foul on defender Jerome Opoku.
Felix Afena-Gyan then doubled Ghana’s advantage five minutes later, curling a free-kick into the net to put the hosts firmly in command.
However, The Gambia immediately responded.
Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty two minutes after Ghana’s second goal, allowing Muhammed Badamosi to pull one back from the spot.
The visitors grew in confidence and levelled four minutes before half-time after Ghana failed to clear a ball from a throw-in, with Omar Colley pouncing to make it 2-2.
The Black Stars went into the break with their two-goal advantage wiped out, setting up a tense second half.
Ghana resumed with more possession but struggled to create clear openings as The Gambia became increasingly dangerous on the counter.
The visitors completed the turnaround in the 68th minute when Ebrima Colley capitalised on another defensive lapse to put The Gambia 3-2 ahead.
Ghana pushed for an equaliser but could not find a way past the Gambian defence.
Instead, Ebrima Colley struck again in stoppage time to complete the scoring and seal a 4-2 victory for The Gambia.
The defeat marks Ghana’s second consecutive loss in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers and leaves the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point after two matches.
The Black Stars have now conceded six goals in their opening two qualifying games, putting their campaign under significant pressure after their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ghana will next face Somalia in a double-header in November as they attempt to revive their qualification campaign.
