BLACK STARS COLLAPSE FROM 2–0 UP TO LOSE 4–2 TO THE GAMBIA IN ACCRA

Ghana's Black Stars suffered a dramatic collapse at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, surrendering a 2–0 lead to lose 4–2 to The Gambia in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

What began as a promising response to Ghana's opening defeat against Côte d’Ivoire ended in another painful night for Carlos Queiroz and his players.

Ghana appeared firmly in control after racing into a two goal lead through Ernest Nuamah and Felix Afena Gyan.

Nuamah opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 27th minute before Afena Gyan doubled Ghana's advantage six minutes later with a free kick.

At 2–0, the Black Stars looked on course for their first victory of the qualifying campaign.

Instead, the match completely changed.

The Gambia pulled one back from the penalty spot before finding another goal before halftime to send the teams into the break level at 2–2.

Ghana never recovered.

The visitors carried their momentum into the second half and scored twice more to complete an extraordinary comeback and secure a 4–2 victory in Accra.

FROM 2–0 UP TO 4–2 DOWN

The manner of the defeat will be particularly concerning for Ghana.

After establishing a commanding advantage at home, the Black Stars conceded four unanswered goals.

The Gambia's equalizer before halftime erased Ghana's early momentum and transformed the atmosphere inside the Accra Sports Stadium.

The second half offered little improvement.

Instead of regaining control, Ghana conceded twice more as The Gambia punished defensive weaknesses and completed a remarkable turnaround.

The result also marked a historic defensive low.

Ghana had never previously conceded four goals in a single Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

TWO MATCHES AND ZERO POINTS

The defeat leaves Ghana without a point after their opening two matches in Group C.

The Black Stars began their qualifying campaign with a 2–0 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24.

They returned to Accra knowing victory against The Gambia was important to immediately revive their campaign.

Instead, a second consecutive defeat has left Ghana facing an increasingly difficult route toward qualification.

The Gambia, meanwhile, have made an impressive start after defeating Somalia 2–1 in their opening match before producing Tuesday's comeback in Accra.

PRESSURE GROWS ON CARLOS QUEIROZ

The result will inevitably increase scrutiny on head coach Carlos Queiroz as Ghana attempts to avoid another failed AFCON qualifying campaign.

Queiroz made three changes to the team that started against Côte d’Ivoire, bringing Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey and Afena Gyan into the starting lineup.

Afena Gyan rewarded his selection with Ghana's second goal.

But the defensive collapse after going two goals ahead will raise questions about Ghana's game management and ability to protect a lead.

The Black Stars have now conceded six goals in their opening two qualifiers while scoring only twice.

Ghana's struggles are particularly significant after the country failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Missing consecutive AFCON tournaments would represent another major setback for one of African football's traditional powers.

There is still football to be played in Group C and two qualification places are available, but Ghana's margin for further mistakes has narrowed considerably.

For the Black Stars, Tuesday's defeat will be especially difficult to accept because of how promisingly the evening began.

A 2–0 advantage and apparent control of the match disappeared as The Gambia scored four unanswered goals in one of Ghana's most damaging home qualifying defeats in recent years.