Cape Verde Stuns Ghana in Shocking AFCON Opener

In a surprising turn of events at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Cape Verde opened their campaign with a stunning 2-1 victory over four-time winners Ghana. The islanders secured their revenge for the 2013 competition defeat, showcasing a resilient performance.

The match began with Cape Verde taking the lead in the first half through Jamiro Monteiro. However, Ghana quickly responded after the break with a header from Alexander Djiku, leveling the score. As the game seemed destined for a draw, Cape Verde capitalized on a defensive mistake, allowing Garry Rodrigues to tap into an empty net in the 92nd minute, securing an unexpected victory.

Speaking after the match, Cape Verde’s winger Ryan Mendes expressed the significance of the win, stating, “When we lost in South Africa, we didn’t deserve to lose this game, but tonight we take our revenge.” He highlighted the importance of starting the tournament with a win and emphasized the team’s determination to continue their success in the upcoming matches.

On the other hand, Ghana’s manager Chris Hughton expressed deep disappointment with the result, acknowledging the defensive lapse that led to Cape Verde’s late winner. The Black Stars face a tough challenge against Egypt in their next group-stage match, both teams eager to secure a positive result.

This unexpected outcome adds an element of unpredictability to the AFCON tournament, showcasing the competitiveness and determination of the participating teams.

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