Gambia overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Ghana 4-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, moving to the top of Group C in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Scorpions appeared to be heading towards a comfortable defeat after Ghana scored twice in the opening 33 minutes. Instead, they produced a remarkable recovery, scoring four unanswered goals to claim a second successive victory.
The result leaves Ghana bottom of the group after two defeats, while Gambia are the only side to have won both of their matches.
Ghana take early control
Ghana made the stronger start in front of their home supporters and took the lead in the 27th minute when Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty.
The Black Stars doubled their advantage six minutes later. Felix Afena-Gyan finished to put Ghana 2-0 ahead, and the hosts looked to have established firm control of the contest.
However, Gambia responded immediately and began to turn the match around before half-time.
Mohamed Badamosi pulled one goal back from the penalty spot in the 37th minute. Five minutes later, Omar Colley equalised, completing a rapid change in momentum.
Gambia had gone from 2-0 down to 2-2 in the space of 15 minutes, leaving the home crowd uncertain as Ghana lost the control they had enjoyed earlier in the game.
Colley completes the turnaround
The visitors continued to carry the greater threat after the interval and were rewarded in the 68th minute when Ebrima Colley put them in front for the first time.
Ghana tried to respond but could not find a way through the Gambian defence. Their hopes of recovering a point ended in the first minute of added time, when Ebrima Colley scored again to complete his personal double and make the final score 4-2.
The victory follows Gambia’s 2-1 win over Somalia in their opening fixture. With six points from two matches, the Scorpions now sit alone at the top of Group C.
For Ghana, the campaign has started in difficult fashion. The Black Stars had already been beaten 2-0 by Cote d’Ivoire in their first match and have now suffered another defeat.
They are consequently bottom of the group and must quickly improve their results if they are to revive their hopes of qualification.
