Ghana collapsed from 2-0 up to lose 4-2 to The Gambia in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September 2026, leaving the Black Stars pointless and bottom of Group C after two matches. The result was Ghana’s second successive qualifier defeat after a 0-2 loss to Côte d’Ivoire and their first time conceding four goals in an AFCON qualifier. It was also The Gambia’s first win over Ghana in 33 years.
Ghana started the stronger side in front of the home crowd and broke through in the 27th minute. Jerome Opoku was fouled in the box after a corner; Ernest Nuamah converted the penalty calmly. Six minutes later Felix Afena-Gyan, making a rare start, won a free-kick on the edge of the area and curled it past the wall and goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye to make it 2-0.
The lead lasted only minutes. Captain Gideon Mensah conceded a penalty with a challenge inside the box; Muhammed Badamosi sent Benjamin Asare the wrong way in the 37th minute. Before half-time Omar Colley finished from close range after a long throw was not cleared, making it 2-2 at the interval. Ghana had dominated possession but were undone by two defensive lapses in a five-minute spell.
Carlos Queiroz made changes at the break, but Ghana never fully regained control. Ebrima Colley put The Gambia ahead in the 68th minute after another Mensah error, nicking the ball and finishing past Asare. Ghana pushed for an equaliser and created some late pressure, including corners and shots from Abdul Fatawu, but left space behind. In the first minute of stoppage time Sainey Sanyang crossed and Ebrima Colley scored his second to seal 4-2.
Ghana finished with 74% possession and more corners, yet The Gambia were more clinical, scoring four times from five shots on target.
Ghana missed AFCON 2025 and entered this campaign under pressure. Queiroz is still without a qualifier win. Mensah later accepted responsibility, saying luck deserted the side and that as captain he would take the blame.
Ghana sit bottom of Group C with zero points and a 2-6 goal difference; The Gambia have six points from two wins and lead or sit joint-top with Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana next face Somalia in a double-header. The defeat extends a long winless run in AFCON qualifying and leaves Ghana’s hopes of reaching the 2027 finals already under serious strain after only two games.