Gambia complete stunning comeback to beat Ghana 4-2 in Accra

The Gambia fought back from two goals down to beat Ghana 4-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday and move top of Group C in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

The Black Stars appeared to be in control after taking a commanding lead midway through the first half, but the Scorpions responded with four goals to condemn Ghana to a second successive defeat.

Ghana lose two-goal advantage

Ghana made the stronger start in front of their home supporters and went ahead in the 27th minute when Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty.

Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the hosts’ advantage six minutes later, leaving the Black Stars seemingly well placed to secure their first points of the qualifying campaign.

However, the Gambia quickly turned the match around before the interval.

Mohamed Badamosi pulled one goal back from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, and Omar Colley equalised five minutes later.

The visitors had gone from 2-0 down to 2-2 in the space of 15 minutes, leaving the Accra Sports Stadium stunned. Ghana had appeared to be controlling proceedings, but suddenly found themselves unable to contain the Scorpions.

Colley completes the turnaround

The Gambia continued to look the more threatening side after the break and completed their comeback in the 68th minute.

Ebrima Colley put the visitors ahead, giving the Scorpions a 3-2 lead and putting Ghana under further pressure.

The Black Stars attempted to respond but could not find a way through the Gambian defence. Ebrima Colley then settled the contest in the first minute of added time, scoring his second goal of the match to make it 4-2.

The result gives the Gambia a second victory in as many matches. They had opened their Group C campaign with a 2-1 win over Somalia and now sit alone at the top of the section.

The Scorpions scored four times after falling two goals behind, underlining the scale of their recovery in Accra.

Ghana, meanwhile, remain bottom of Group C after suffering another defeat. The Black Stars had begun their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Cote d’Ivoire and now face an increasingly difficult fight to revive their qualification hopes.

It is a deeply challenging start to the campaign for Ghana, who will need to respond quickly after conceding six goals across their opening two matches.