Ghana’s hopes of making a strong start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers suffered another major blow as the Black Stars threw away a two-goal lead before losing to The Gambia at home.
The defeat left head coach Carlos Queiroz searching for answers and apologising to supporters who watched Ghana’s promising start turn into another frustrating collapse.
“Myself, the staff and all the players were deeply sad about the result and we say sorry to the Ghana supporters,” the Ghana head coach said after the match.
Ghana looked to be in control during the early stages and played with the urgency expected from a side under pressure to deliver. The Black Stars moved forward with purpose, created chances and eventually found their breakthrough in the 27th minute.
The opening goal came after defender Jerome Opoku was brought down inside the penalty area following a corner. Ernest Nuamah took responsibility from the spot and made no mistake, calmly sending the ball beyond the goalkeeper to put Ghana ahead.
The goal appeared to settle the home side and give them the platform to take control of the contest.
Ghana soon doubled their advantage through Afene Gyan, who was making his first start for the national team in more than four years. The forward produced a superb moment from a free kick to put the Black Stars 2-0 up and send the home supporters into celebration.
At that stage, Ghana appeared firmly in command.
Instead, the game quickly slipped away.
Captain Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty to give The Gambia an opportunity to reduce the deficit. The visitors converted, bringing themselves back into the contest and immediately putting pressure on a Ghana side that had looked comfortable only moments earlier.
The warning signs were not heeded.
Five minutes after pulling one back, The Gambia found another opening and punished a defensive mistake to draw level before the break. Ghana had gone from holding a commanding two-goal advantage to walking into halftime with the score tied at 2-2.
The Black Stars returned for the second half looking to restore their lead, but their defensive frailties continued to undermine their efforts.
Mensah was again involved in a costly moment as The Gambia capitalised on another Ghana mistake to complete the turnaround and move in front.
Ghana responded by throwing more players forward in search of an equaliser. The Black Stars pushed until the closing stages, but their efforts failed to produce the goal they needed.
The Gambia held their nerve and eventually added another late goal to seal the victory, leaving the home crowd stunned after what had initially looked like a comfortable Ghanaian win.
For Queiroz and his players, the result adds to a troubling run in continental qualifying.
Ghana have now gone eight matches without a victory in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, with the poor sequence stretching back to the 2025 edition. The Black Stars failed to win any of their six qualifying matches in that campaign.
Their opening two matches in the 2027 qualifiers have offered little relief.
Ghana are still without a point, sit at the bottom of their group and have already conceded six goals.
