Ghana’s Black Stars have endured another damaging setback in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after The Gambia overturned a two goal deficit to secure a 4 2 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The result represents Ghana’s second consecutive defeat in Group C, leaving the four time African champions without a point from their opening two qualifying encounters.
The Black Stars had appeared firmly in command after Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena Gyan propelled the home side into a commanding two goal lead during an impressive spell in the first half. However, The Gambia responded emphatically and eventually produced four unanswered goals to complete a remarkable reversal in Accra.
Ghana initially struggled to manufacture meaningful opportunities, with The Gambia registering the first effort on target during the opening stages. The hosts gradually settled into the contest, however, and began to impose greater attacking pressure as the half progressed.
Their first significant opportunity arrived when Nuamah identified Afena Gyan with a well directed pass, although the ensuing effort was deflected behind for a corner. The resulting set piece created further danger inside the Gambian penalty area, where a challenge involving Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku was adjudged to have constituted a foul and resulted in a penalty.
Nuamah assumed responsibility from twelve yards in the 27th minute and displayed composure to guide his spot kick into the bottom right corner, handing Ghana a 1 0 advantage.
The Black Stars then strengthened their position only six minutes later when Afena Gyan found the net from a free kick, curling the delivery beyond the Gambian goalkeeper to establish a 2 0 lead. At that stage, Ghana appeared to have seized control of the encounter and looked capable of responding positively to their opening 2 0 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.
The Gambians, however, immediately demonstrated that the contest was far from settled. Ghana conceded a penalty after a foul inside the area, allowing the visitors to reduce the deficit from the spot and restore belief within their ranks.
The momentum subsequently shifted dramatically. The Gambia continued pressing forward and succeeded in drawing level before the interval, capitalising on uncertainty within the Ghanaian defence to make the score 2 2.
Having surrendered their two goal advantage before half time, Ghana returned for the second period needing to regain control of proceedings. Instead, The Gambia continued to exploit openings and maintained their attacking threat.
The visitors eventually completed their turnaround in the 68th minute when Ebrima Colley capitalised on another defensive lapse to put The Gambia 3 2 ahead. Ghana attempted to respond and searched for an equaliser, but the Black Stars were unable to restore the attacking authority they had displayed earlier in the encounter.
The Gambian side remained dangerous during the closing stages and eventually added a fourth goal in stoppage time, completing a 4 2 triumph and securing all three points away from home.
The defeat leaves Ghana without a point after two Group C fixtures, having previously fallen 2 0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké. The Black Stars therefore face an increasingly demanding task in their attempt to secure qualification for the 2027 continental championship.
The result also gives The Gambia six points from their opening two matches and strengthens their position in the qualifying group, following their earlier victory over Somalia. Ghana, meanwhile, will have to recover quickly and produce a significantly stronger sequence of results in their remaining fixtures if they are to keep their qualification campaign alive.
The Black Stars are scheduled to return to competitive action in November when they face Somalia, providing Carlos Queiroz and his squad with another opportunity to collect points and attempt to revive their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.
