![FT: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde, Black Stars’ Suffer Defeat![VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]](https://i0.wp.com/lcsoccerhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot_20240115-071259.jpg?fit=681%2C391&ssl=1)
It was another cracker at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny as the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde locked horns with the Black Stars of Ghana in the 2023 AFCON opener, LCSoccerHub reports.
Since 2013, Cape Verde have been rewriting their history as an emerging new powerhouses of African football. They made their first appearance in AFCON in 2013, and have qualified four times for the tournament with their best result being a quarterfinal finish on their debut appearance.
Ghana are African footballing giants. They have made 23 appearances in AFCON, and have won the tournament four times, finishing as runners-up five times.
The Black Stars were tipped by bookmakers to carry the day but came up struggling against the determination and doggedness of the Blue Sharks, who lived out their nickname with a spirited performance.
Both sides finished the game tied on the percentage of passes completed (81%) but Cape Verde were largely the better side with 54% of the ball possession.
Against expectations, the Blue Sharks took the African giants to the cleaners, dominating proceedings. They recorded 15 shots with 5 on target while Ghana managed 10 with only one on target.
After a commanding control of proceedings, Monteiro found the back of the net for Cape Verde in the 17th minute, and the goal was enough to send the Blue Sharks into the lead at the break.
Ghana fought back in the second half to level terms with Djikus’ 56th-minute goal. With the scores tied at 1-1, Cape Verde began to dominate proceedings again trying to retake the lead.
Struggling under the superior display of their opponents, a draw would have been a big relief for Ghana but it appeared Cape Verde were destined to carry the day.
In the 92nd minute, Rodrigues fired the dominant Cape Verdians into the lead again, dealing a big blow to the Ghanaians’ hope of salvaging a point.
With few minutes left on the clock, the Blue Sharks held on to the narrow lead to condemn the four-time African champions to a shock opening AFCON defeat after the final whistle.
Video Highlights
https://youtu.be/LjuQ25HiI54?si=4gqaz6EmJR1OEzSP
