Ghana's national football team, led by coach Carlos Queiroz, has suffered a disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The team lost their first two games, with the latest defeat coming against Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium. Despite the pressure mounting on Queiroz, he has refused to quit, stating that he will be the first to resign if his departure can change the situation of football in Ghana.
The match against Gambia saw Ghana take an early 2-0 lead through goals from Ernest Nuamah and Félix Afena-Gyan. However, Gambia staged a comeback, scoring two goals before halftime and adding two more in the second half to secure a 4-2 win. This result, combined with their previous 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire, has left Ghana at the bottom of Group C with no points after two games.
Queiroz, who was recalled to lead Ghana's 2027 Cup of Nations campaign after stepping down following their run to the last 32 at the 2026 World Cup, expressed his commitment to the team. He stated that he will work to improve the team's performance and secure wins in their upcoming games against Somalia in November. Queiroz also acknowledged the fans' disappointment and apologized for the team's performance.
The 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign has seen several upsets and surprises. In Group L, Nigeria suffered a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, with Franculino and Mama Baldé scoring two goals each. Guinea-Bissau now leads the group with six points, while Nigeria sits second with three points. Madagascar and Tanzania drew 1-1 in their match, leaving them with one point each.
In other group matches, Morocco secured a 2-0 win against Lesotho in Group A, with Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi scoring the goals. Senegal, who are appealing against the decision to strip them of the 2025 championship title, won 1-0 against Ethiopia under new coach Patrick Vieira. Meanwhile, Cape Verde lost 2-1 at home to Rwanda, leaving them at the bottom of Group K.
Despite the setbacks, Queiroz and other coaches remain optimistic about their teams' chances. Nigeria coach Eric Chelle attributed his team's loss to Guinea-Bissau's high intensity and motivation. He expressed confidence in his team's abilities and vowed to stay focused and calm ahead of their next matches.
The 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign will continue in November, with Ghana facing Somalia in a crucial match. Other teams will also battle it out for a spot in the tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The competition is expected to be fierce, with several teams vying for a chance to participate in the prestigious tournament.
Key points
- Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz resists calls to resign after losing first two 2027 AFCON qualifier games.
- Guinea-Bissau leads Group L with six points after defeating Nigeria 3-0.
- Morocco and Senegal secured wins in their respective groups, while Cape Verde and Ghana suffered losses.
