Ghana’s amputee football team, the Black Challenge, sealed the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations championship after a thrilling 2-1 win over a tough Morocco side in the final held in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday.
Despite conceding an early goal in the first half, Ghana staged an amazing comeback in the second half, sending the game to extra time to lock the win.
Morocco scored the game’s opener in the 14th minute before Ghana equalized through lethal player Mohammed Mubarak from the spot, just before halftime, making the score 1-1 in the process.
The two teams could not be separated at the end of regulation time and Ghana needed an extra 30 minutes to pull off the magic.
Minutes into extra time, Mubarak – who clinched the most valuable player of the night -scored again to give Ghana the lead for the first time in the game, and the goal proved to be the match-winner as they went on to clinch the trophy at the end of the game.
This achievement in the AAFCON marks Ghana’s successful defense of their title, having won the previous edition in 2021.
The win against the North African giants means the Black Challenge achieved a double over Morocco within the past year, having defeated them by the same scoreline in September 2023 to win the inaugural African Para Games.
We feel very proud. The God we trusted made it happen. We’re champions in Africa for the third time in the space of two years. Despite the challenges we went through, we did it. It is a massive motivation to everybody that you might not have the support you need but you can go beyond the odds and make it happen, said Stephen Richard Obeng, head coach of the Black Challenge, in an interview with the media after the game.
Ghana’s road to victory
The Black Challenge of Ghana kickstarted the AAFCON tournament with a scintillating performance and a stumping 4-0 win over Gambia at Petrol Sports Stadium in Cairo Egypt.
They trashed Algeria 5-0 in their second group-stage match.
A narrow 2-1 victory over Kenya helped the black challenge to pass the group stage hurdle and book a place in the quarter-finals.
They edged closer to the finals after thumping Tanzania 4-1 to secure a semi-final slot.
And they comfortably qualified for the finals after beating Algeria 3-0 in the semifinals.
The Black Challenge further made history yesterday at the Petrol Sports Stadium in Cairo as they beat the North African giants Morroco 2-1 to win the 2024 Amputee African Cup of Nations. The win yesterday means The Black Challenge have now won the last two editions of the Amputee AFCON.
The Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif, congratulated the Black Challenge for defending their title at the African Amputee Football Cup of Nations via X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said
“Your determination and skill have once again made Ghana proud. Kudos to the entire team for this remarkable victory!”
The win secures a spot for the Black Challenge at the 2026 World Amputee Football World Cup in Panama.
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Story by: Rabbi Adu Agyei| univers.ug.edu.gh
