43 years since Ghana's Last Triumph in the African Cup of Nations: The Long Wait Continues.
By David Bekoe
06th March, 2025
5 mins read
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43 years since Ghana's Last Triumph in the African Cup of Nations: The Long Wait Continues.
Ghana's rich football history is marked by several glorious moments, but one of the most memorable is their last victory in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1982. This triumph solidified Ghana's reputation as a football powerhouse on the African continent and since then, Ghana has gone on a 43 years drought, failing to bring home the prestigious trophy on the continent.
The 1982 AFCON tournament which was held in Libya, had the Black Stars of Ghana determined to reclaim the title they had last won in 1978. The Black Stars, as the national team is affectionately known, faced stiff competition from other top African teams like hist nation Libya, Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia. Despite the challenges, Ghana's squad, led by coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi, showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament.
The final match took place on March 19, 1982, at the June 11 Stadium in Tripoli, Libya where Ghana faced the host nation, Libya, in a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Ghana emerged victorious, winning the shootout 7-6, and clinching their fourth AFCON title.
Several players stood out during the tournament, but none more so than goalkeeper Joseph Carr, whose heroic saves during the penalty shootout were instrumental in securing the victory. Other notable players included captain Emmanuel Quarshie and striker George Alhassan, who was the tournament's top scorer with four goals.
Ghana's 1982 AFCON victory remains a significant milestone in the country's football history. It not only demonstrated the team's resilience and talent but also inspired future generations of Ghanaian footballers. The triumph cemented Ghana's status as one of Africa's football giants, with a total of four AFCON titles to their name.
For 43 years, the Black Stars have failed to win this prestigious trophy despite being in the finals twice in 2010 and 2015, beaten by Egypt and Ivory Coast respectively and appearing at the semi finals countless times even with the likes of legends such as Asamoah Gyan, Micheal Essian, Stephen Appaih, Osei Kuffour and Andrew Ayew. The decline of the footballing state recently has been alarming, with the team failing to qualify out from the group stages for 2 consecutive tournaments. With Ghana set to miss thus year's competition in Morocco since 2004, it seems the wait for silverware will still continue.
As Ghana continues to strive for football excellence, the memories of the 1982 victory serve as a reminder of the nation's proud sporting heritage and the enduring spirit of the Black Stars.
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