AFCON: Ghana lost 1-2 To Cape Verde

Ghana head coach Chris Hughton has admitted to being dissapointed after the Black Stars lost their opening 2023 Africa Cup of Nations fixture 2-1 against Cape Verde on Sunday.

It was Garry Rodrigues, who scored late to hand Cape Verde all the three points against the Black Stars. Cape Verde had taken a deserved lead in the 17th minutes through Jamiro Monteiro.

The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder was in the penalty box to tap home from a loose ball spilled by goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Alexander Djiku got the equaliser for Ghana, 11 minutes into the second half, heading in from a Jordan Ayew cross but with just six minutes to end the game, substitute Rodrigues restored Cape Verde’s lead after he capitalised on a defensive blunder from the Ghanaian defense to tap into an empty net.

Hughton shared his disappointment, stating, “We are incredibly hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan to start on the front foot.”

Ghana’s midfielder, Majeed Ashimeru had what could have been an equalizer disallowed after VAR checks by referee Jean Jacques Ndola Ngambo.

Cape Verde are now top of Group D with three points. Ghana will play Egypt next Thursday, 18 January at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny.