The Black Stars experienced their worst ever performance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon as they were bundled out of the group but which record still stood?
Ghana could not progress from their group in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in Cameroon. With Group C having debutants Comoros and less fancied side Gabon, it was only Morocco a lot of people were worried about for Ghana, however, things moved from bad to worse.
The Black Stars were pipped 1-0 on opening day of the group by Morocco before they shared the spoils 1-1 with Gabon in the second game and when everyone was waiting for the four-time champions to grind results against Comoros and qualify, they flattered to deceive.
Comoros scored three, battered and outplayed Ghana, and eventually won the game 3-2 with their coach even wanting more goals before full time as the minnows matched on to the round of 16 as one of the best third place countries.
Now, the Black Stars’ came back home empty handed and with a lot of shame but there was one thing that they could be proud of, regardless.
The Black Stars maintained their history as the best opponents in second group games of Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana hardly lose their second group games at the Afcon and it was the reason why Morocco and Comoros defeated them but Gabon failed.
Exactly seven years ago today (January 23, 2015), Ghana defeated Algeria 1-0 in the second group game of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, thanks to captain Asamoah Gyan who had returned from the sick bed.
Gyan’s late goal revived Black Stars’ campaign after losing 2-1 to Senegal in the opening game.
This goes a long way to confirm that the Black Stars are always favorite to win their second game of every group at the Afcon and worse will be a stalemate.
Ghana XI vs Algeria in 2017:
Razak Brimah-GK, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Amartey, Afriyie Acquah, Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Asamoah Gyan(c)
The last time Ghana lost a second group game was in 1998 and they have since grown better.
Ghana’s all time second Group Matches in Afcon:
1963 Ghana 2-0 Ethiopia
1965 Ghana 4-1 Cote D’Iviore
1968 Ghana 2-1 DR Congo
1970 Ghana 1-1 Egypt
1978 Ghana 1-1 Nigeria
1982 Ghana 0-0 Cameroon
1984 Ghana 0-2 Algeria
1992 Ghana 1-0 Egypt
1994 Ghana 1-0 Senegal
1996 Ghana 2-1 Tunisia
1998 Ghana 1-2 Togo
2000 Ghana 2-0 Togo
2002 Ghana 0-0 South Africa
2006 Ghana 1-0 Senegal
2008 Ghana 1-0 Namibia
2010 Ghana 1-0 Burkina Faso
2012 Ghana 2-0 Mali
2013 Ghana 1-0 Mali
2015 Ghana 1-0 Algeria
2017 Ghana 1-0 Mali
2019 Ghana 0-0 Cameroon
2021 Ghana 1-1 Gabon
STATS AT A GLANCE:
-22 second group matches played
-Ghana have won 14 times
-Ghana won eight consecutive times between 2006 and 2017
-Ghana have lost twice (last time in 1998 against Togo)
-Ghana have drawn six times