Ghana concede three goals in AFCON qualifier for first time in 51 years

Ghana’s 4-2 defeat to The Gambia has ended a remarkable 51-year run without conceding three or more goals in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Black Stars last conceded at least three goals in an AFCON qualifying match in April 1975, when they suffered a 3-1 away defeat to Mali during the qualifiers for the 1976 tournament.

Since that defeat, Ghana had gone more than five decades without conceding three goals in a single AFCON qualifying match, until The Gambia breached their defence four times at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

The latest setback came in dramatic fashion, with Ghana surrendering a two-goal advantage before The Gambia completed a remarkable comeback to secure a 4-2 victory.

The defeat is another setback for Carlos Queiroz’s side, who had already lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening Group C qualifier in Bouaké.

Ghana have therefore conceded six goals in their opening two matches of the qualifying campaign and remain without a point.

The result also puts further pressure on the Black Stars ahead of their remaining Group C fixtures, as they now face the task of recovering from consecutive defeats if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the 2027 AFCON alive.

The last time Ghana conceded three or more goals in an AFCON qualifier, they were beaten by Mali in Bamako in April 1975. More than five decades later, The Gambia have now handed the Black Stars another unwanted entry in the record books.