The Black Stars have begun their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on a bad note after losing 4-2 to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium in their second game.

Ghana started brightly and took control of possession in the opening stages, with their pressure eventually rewarded in the 27th minute.

The referee pointed to the spot after Jerome Opoku was adjudged to have been brought down following a corner, with Ernest Nuamah stepping up to calmly convert the penalty and put the Black Stars 1-0 ahead.

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Ghana doubled their advantage just six minutes later when Felix Afena-Gyan brilliantly converted a free-kick from just outside the box after being brought down.

The comeback was completed five minutes later when Omar Colley capitalised on a defensive mistake to fire home from close range and restore parity.

Ebrima Colley capitalised on another mistake from Gideon Mensah, nicking the ball away from the Ghana defender before slotting it past Asare. Another goal from Sanyang Sainey then sealed a 4-2 victory for the Scorpions.

In Group C, Côte d'Ivoire and The Gambia lead with six points each, while Ghana and Somalia lie at the bottom with zero points after two games.

This puts the team’s chances of qualification under serious threat, as they have to win against Somalia in a double-header before taking on the other two opponents, who have taken a significant lead.

SB/JKB

WATCH: Black Stars’ 4-2 Defeat to The Gambia | Match Highlights