Ghanaians disappointed by Black Stars’ “surprising” defeat in 2023 AFCON opener

Ghanaian soccer fans are upset following Sunday night’s loss by the Black Stars to the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the country’s opening 2023 AFCON game.

The Blue Sharks swallowed up the Black Stars, beating them 2-1 at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny.

While some blamed the loss largely on poor coaching decisions, others criticised the playing body for persistently showing a lack of commitment and passion to the game.

Others still accused Congolese ean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo for biased refereeing decisions.

17 minutes into the game, Cape Verde took the lead thanks to an error made by Richard Ofori with a goal by Jamiro Monteiro, who tapped into an empty net after Ofori deflected an initial attempt.

long-range goal Majeed Ashimeru’s was controversially given away for offside as it was determined via VAR that Ransford-Yeboah had obscured the goalkeeper’s view, giving Ghana the impression that they had equalised through him.

Mohammed Salisu made a crucial defensive blunder late in the game, just when it appeared that both teams would end in a draw. Garry Rodrigues was able to take the ball and put it into an empty net after the Ghanaian centre back mishandled a pass.

Notwithstanding the loss, Ghana continued to press for an equaliser in the second half, and Alexander Djiku’s majestic header off a Jordan Ayew cross provided it.

Just as both sides seemed headed for a draw, a late defensive error from Mohammed Salisu proved costly. The Ghanaian centre-back misplaced a pass, allowing Garry Rodrigues to steal the ball and tap into an empty net.

But for spectacular saves from Richard Ofori and timely defending by Alexander Djiku, the Black Stars would have conceded more goals.

Ghana’s loss drops them to the bottom of Group B, where they will have a difficult task ahead of them as they get ready to play Egypt on Thursday, January 18, who drew 1-1 in their opening game against Mozambique.