In the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, Cape Verde defeated the Black Stars of Ghana 1-2 on Sunday night, gaining all three points at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, thanks to a late goal by substitute Garry Mendes Rodriguez.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala turned aside the Black Stars’ requests for a penalty, despite the fact that winger Joseph Paintsil was at the center of the action.
After a solid buildup involving Jordan Ayew and Gideon Mensah, Hamburg SV’s Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer had another chance in the 26th minute, but his tame shot went wide, continuing a first half in which the Ghanaian-born German looked isolated from his team in what was his first competitive game for the national team.
A few moments later, referee Ndala and the 22-year-old Königsdörffer were deeply involved in the proceedings. Antoine Semenyo’s shot-cum-cross, which bounced off the post, found its way to the Hamburg forward.
Midfielder Majeed Ashimeru recovered the ball, and in the forty-second minute, he beat Cape Verde goal keeper Josimar Dias with a long-range effort from twenty to thirty yards.
The goal was disallowed, though, as replays revealed Königsdörffer had blocked the referee as he stood up after his shot, leading to a long VAR review by the official.
After the break, the Stars came back stronger, with Jordan Ayew and Paintsil playing more. In the 56th minute, Jordan Ayew provided an incredible assist that saw an unmarked Djiku nod in from the six-yard line after Paintsil’s cross from a mad dash was cut out for a corner.
A few moments later, Paintsil nearly scored, but his attempt to convert an Antoine Semenyo shot went into the side netting.
Both teams substituted multiple players. Nevertheless, Ofori’s parried shot of Jovane Cabral in the last seconds of play sealed Cape Verde’s victory. Rodrigues’ late goal served as their retribution for Ghana’s lack of resolve in the final seconds.
The defeat drops the Stars to the bottom of Group B, while Cape Verde advances to the top of the group with three maximum points, one point clear of Egypt and Mozambique, who drew 2-2. The shock also means that in their last eight AFCON games, the Black Stars have only triumphed once.
The Black Stars will take on Egypt at the same location on Thursday, January 18, 203, with the hopes of returning to winning ways.
