AFCON Milestone: Mubarak Wakaso Scores Tournament’s 1,500th Goal in Ghana’s Semi-Final Win
By BBC Sport Africa
Mubarak Wakaso etched his name into African football history on Thursday, February 5, 2015, by scoring the 1,500th goal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations final tournaments.
The Ghanaian midfielder struck just before half-time in the Black Stars’ commanding 3-0 victory over host nation Equatorial Guinea in the second semi-final of the 30th edition of the tournament. Wakaso’s goal came after Jordan Ayew had opened the scoring from the penalty spot, with André Ayew later sealing the win in the second half.
The match, held at the Estadio de Malabo, marked the 603rd game played in AFCON history since the competition’s inception in 1957.
Wakaso Joins an Elite Club
Wakaso’s goal, a composed finish at the end of a swift counter-attack, was not only crucial for Ghana’s progression to the final but also a symbolic milestone in the tournament’s rich legacy. He now joins a select list of players who have scored landmark goals in AFCON history.
One such moment came in 2004 when Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha scored the 1,000th goal in the tournament’s history. That strike, a penalty, came in a 4-0 group stage win over South Africa on January 31st in Monastir, Tunisia.
Ghana Set for Classic Final Showdown
Ghana’s win over Equatorial Guinea sets up a blockbuster final against Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday in Bata—a rematch of the 1992 final, which the Ivorians won in dramatic fashion following a marathon penalty shootout.
Under Israeli coach Avram Grant, the Black Stars have shown resilience and attacking flair throughout the competition. The Ayew brothers and Wakaso have been instrumental in Ghana’s journey to the final, where they will look to end a 33-year trophy drought.
Match Overshadowed by Crowd Trouble
While the football on the pitch was historic, the game was marred by violent scenes in the stands. The match had to be halted in the 82nd minute after crowd unrest, including bottles and objects being thrown, forced players to be escorted off the field. CAF is expected to investigate the incident and may issue sanctions against Equatorial Guinea.
As Ghana prepares for the final, Wakaso’s historic goal adds a layer of pride to a campaign already filled with standout performances. For African football fans, it was a reminder of the tournament’s long and storied history—and the players who continue to write its chapters.
