In a surprising turn of events, Ghana's journey in the Cote d'Ivoire AFCON campaign kicked off on a disheartening note as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde in the opening match of Group B on Sunday.
The disappointment reverberated through the streets of Accra as supporters gathered in local bars to witness their beloved Black Stars face off against Cape Verde. The unexpected loss left fans in shock, with many struggling to come to terms with the unimaginable outcome.
David, a disappointed fan, expressed his astonishment, saying, "I'm in shock like, really Cap Verde won? It's unimaginable." Another supporter voiced his disappointment, emphasizing, "I was quite disappointed. Looking at Ghana, who is a football country, we expect more from the Ghanaian team."
As the fixture unfolded at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan, the vulnerabilities in Ghana's defense became apparent. Cape Verde's Jamiro Monteiro struck first, scoring the team's opening goal in the 17th minute. Despite this setback, Ghanaians remained optimistic, and their hopes soared when Alexander Djiku equalized in the 56th minute, prompting celebrations in fan zones.
However, the night took a turn for the worse as the Blue Sharks secured a dramatic stoppage-time goal, clinching a 2-1 victory and securing the top spot in Group B.
Looking ahead, Black Stars fans are holding onto hope for a better performance in their upcoming match on January 18 against Egypt, the runner-up of the previous AFCON edition. Egypt, who played to a 2-2 draw against Mozambique on the same day, presents a formidable challenge for Ghana in their quest for redemption in the tournament. Supporters eagerly anticipate whether the Black Stars can bounce back and make a strong statement against the Pharaohs in their quest for AFCON glory.