Garry Rodrigues' 92nd-minute strike condemned four-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions Ghana to defeat in their opening Group B game of the 2023 tournament on a day of surprise results in Ivory Coast.
Winger Rodrigues pounced following calamitous Black Stars defending to give the 73rd-ranked team in the world a dramatic victory and extend Ghana's poor run to one win in six matches, with Alexander Djiku's second-half equaliser the only goal they have scored across those games.
Cape Verde are ranked 12 places below Ghana and their impressive showing, which began with Jamiro Monteiro's 17th-minute opener as part of a dominant early period for the west African side, came after Equatorial Guinea held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw and Mozambique came tantalisingly close to beating Egypt earlier on Sunday.
Monteiro swept in the rebound when goalkeeper Richard Ofori could only paw Jovane Cabral's shot into his path, but the momentum of the game changed after Ghana midfielder Majeed Ashimeru's thunderous goal from distance was ruled out for offside 10 minutes before the break.
Ghana vs Cape Verde result
| 1st half | 2nd half | Result | Goal scorers | |
| Ghana | 0 | 1 | 1 | Alexander Djiku (56) |
| Cape Verde | 1 | 1 | 2 | Jamiro Monteiro (17), Garry Rodrigues (90 +2) |
Ransford Konigsdorffer, who had hit the woodwork seconds before Ashimeru bent his glorious strike into the corner of the net, was in an offside position and adjudged to have been interfering with play following a VAR and pitchside monitor check.
Ghana looked the more likely to score for much of the second half, defender Djiku stooping to head in from Jordan Ayew's corner as Chris Hughton's players produced a much-improved attacking display as the game wore on.
The momentum changed again during the closing stages, though, with Ofori forced to keep out close-range attempts from Cabral and Rodrigues as Cape Verde, who have never lost in four opening matches at AFCON, pushed for a winner.
They were gifted the decisive goal when Ghana passed up numerous opportunites to clear a throw-in, allowing the ball to bounce inside their penalty area before Gilson Tavares accepted the opportunity to prod possession to Rodrigues to score.
Ghana finished bottom of their group at AFCON 2021 and have now won one of their last 10 matches at the finals, making their need for West Ham attacker Mohammed Kudus to return from injury all the more urgent.
Their next match is against seven-time champions Egypt at the same venue on Thursday, while Cape Verde return to the stadium the following day to face a Mozambique team who were only denied victory against the Pharaohs by a 97th-minute Mohamed Salah penalty.
Andre Ayew's introduction as a substitute provided one positive note for Ghana, making his eighth AFCON appearance to equal the record held by Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan.
The Sporting News followed the match live, providing updates and highlights below.
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Starting lineups:
Ghana (4-2-3-1): Ofori (GK) – Odoi, Dijku, Salisu, Mensah – Ashimeru, Baba – Painstil, Konigsdorffer, Ayew – Semenyo
Cape Verde (4-3-3): Vozinha (GK) – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo – Pina, Duarte, Monteiro – Mendes Cabral, Bebe
Ghana vs Cape Verde live updates, highlights, commentary
Fulltime: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde
The celebrations begin for Cape Verde! The coaches shake hands and Ghana's players look suitably reflective after an unpredictable opening game between these sides.
The final stats perhaps demonstrate that, Ghana having 87 attacks to Cape Verde's 86. Chris Hughton's side could only manage one attempt on target, though.
They will be sorely hoping that Mohammed Kudus is fit soon.
90 +5 mins: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde
Iddrisu Baba has a great chance to equalise for Ghana, sending a header bouncing just wide as he meets Gideon Mensah's cross from the left!
One last twist here?
90 +4 mins: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde
Cape Verde marked that goal by walking up some stairs off the pitch. They weren't quite as vertiginous as the ones at Wembley Stadium, but it added to the sense of triumph.
90 +3 mins: Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde
Wow. That was a litany of errors by Ghana, who dealt dreadfully with a Cape Verde throw-in from a useful but fairly benign position not far from their penalty area.
Mohammed Salisu wasn't the only one to blame but the ball did bounce through the defender's legs in front of goal. Gilson Tavares prodded a pass to the unmarked Garry Rodrigues, who fired in what is likely to be the winner from close range!
90 +2 mins: GOAL – Ghana 1-2 Cape Verde (Garry Rodrigues)
Cape Verde make their pressure tell as they retake the lead!
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89 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
That said, here's another great chance for Cape Verde, again created by incisive passing and brisk attacking play.
Garry Rodrigues breaks clear, although his touch veers him wide inside the penalty area. His shot is straight at goalkeeper Richard Ofori, who beats the ball away.
Ghana are under pressure right now and will be the happier to hear the fulltime whistle.
86 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
More Cape Verde substitutions: Gilson Benchimol replaces Jovane Cabral and Laros Duarte is on for scorer Jamiro Monteiro.
They've had the better overall of this game but, on the balance of chances since Monteiro put them ahead, might be satisfied with a point.
83 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Almost a potential winner for Cape Verde! Jovane Cabral breaks free inside the Ghana penalty area on the left and, under pressure, fires in a low shot from a tight angle at close range.
Richard Ofori is equal to it, turning the effort behind with a leg.
80 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Cape Verde have never lost their opening match at AFCON, but this will be the third time out of four that they have started with a draw, should the scoreline remain the same at fulltime.
77 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
The players take a well-earned cooling break. Bebe's now been replaced by Willy Semedo, having repeatedly threatened the Ghana goal before going off.
74 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Bebe goes close, causing a modicum of chaos inside Ghana's penalty area. Cape Verde can't capitalise from the corner they earn.
71 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
As we approach 20 shots in total, it's perhaps indicative that Ghana have only had one on target and Cape Verde two. Both sides will feel they can do better in attack, and they clearly have the players to cause problems for opponents.
68 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte has been booked for a foul. The pace of the game has slowed a little.
66 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Bebe scampers through on goal after Ghana give the ball away from the halfway line.
Alexander Djiku intervenes with a brilliant tackle just as Bebe is about to shoot from close range. The defender and scorer slaps his hands and tells his teammates to liven up.
63 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Ghana's Andre Ayew comes on for his eighth Africa Cup of Nations appearance, equalling the record held by Cameroon’s Rigobert Song and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan.
If he scores, he will set a new record of having found the net in seven different AFCON tournaments.
61 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Ghana almost have a second! Antoine Semenyo canters into the Cape Verde penalty area on the right and swerves an inviting cross along the six-yard box.
Joseph Paintsil arrives at the far post but can only nudge his finish wide under pressure.
59 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
A few players appear to be feeling the effects of their efforts.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha goes down and needs treatment, possibly to his right calf.
57 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
That was a far more straightforward goal than the one Ghana had ruled out before the break.
Jordan Ayew swung the corner in front of goal. Among a crowd of players, Alexander Djiku stooped to head the ball into the corner of the net.
We're all-square!
56 mins: GOAL – Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde (Alexander Djiku)
Ghana are far more productive from their latest corner, equalising through Alexander Djiku!
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53 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Joseph Paintsil works his way towards goal on the right, curling in a low shot which is deflected behind.
Jordan Ayew wastes the resulting corner. Paintsil is then booked for an infringement near the halfway line, pulling back Jovane Cabral.
52 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Bebe continues to provide much of the entertainment early in this second half.
This time he bustles for the ball in front of goal, goes down and appeals for a penalty. He's then flagged for offside.
50 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Bearded winger Bebe takes aim from the freekick, lifting it into the Ghana wall.
The former Manchester United man has another opportunity from a similar position in open play when the ball falls back to him, and comes no closer to scoring with an attempt that loops beyond the far post, eliciting a roar of frustration from him.
49 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Now Cape Verde have an excellent opportunity in the form of a freekick on the edge of the Ghana penalty area...
46 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
We're back underway. Can Cape Verde secure an opening win or will Ghana turn this around? The opening two minutes of the second half are uneventful.
Halftime: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Cape Verde dominated this opening game for these sides and deservedly took the lead, but the momentum changed when Ghana had a goal ruled out 10 minutes before the break.
The Black Stars are yet to have a shot on target, though, and Cape Verde will be happy with their work so far, which has left them on course for a small-ish upset.
45 mins +2: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Jordan Ayew, whose shirt is drenched with sweat, takes aim from way out from the freekick move embarked upon by Ghana.
His effort sails high into the stand behind the goal, and that may be the last attacking effort of the half.
45 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Ghana are on the attack as we enter added time, Jordan Ayew winning a freekick near the Cape Verde penalty area.
As much as it's been a positive half for Cape Verde, they'll be glad for the interval, at this rate.
42 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
That offside decision could rankle for a long time with Ghana, but at least they've burst into life.
The attack that led to Ransford Konigsdorffer hitting the woodwork was electric and Majeed Ashimeru's piledriver was a beauty.
39 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Offside! Ghana's goal is ruled out!
Let's describe what happened in the build-up to that goal: a flowing Ghana move featured a terrific cross from the right by Antoine Semenyo, finding Ransford Konigsdorffer, whose effort hit the woodwork and bounced out.
With the Cape Verde defence in disarray, Majeed Ashimeru's spectacular strike from distance looked to have made up for Konigsdorffer's bad luck. But Konigsdorffer was well offside and was adjudged to have been interfering with the goalkeeper's view.
37 mins: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
The question appears to be whether a Ghana player was offside as Majeed Ashimeru's fierce, bending strike rattled into the far corner of the net.
Purely from the point of view of what a high-quality strike that was, it will be a shame if this is chalked off.
The pitchside monitor check is ongoing.
35 mins: GOAL – Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Anderlecht's Majeed Ashimeru blasts Ghana level from outside the penalty area!
Ghana's players and fans go wild, but there's a VAR check...
32 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Jamiro Monteiro concedes a freekick in a central position not far from the Cape Verde area, which Jordan Ayew chips towards the left hand side of the box.
No Ghana player can make clean contact with the delivery, which tumbles behind.
29 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Chris Hughton is not the most expressive manager you'll ever see, but he applauded that first shot of the game from his side, who certainly resemble a team needing strong encouragement.
26 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
It's taken more than a quarter of the game, but Ghana send in their first shot.
Gideon Mensah swings in a useful cross from the left and Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer does well to get to the delivery ahead of his marker, but can only cushion his volley wide.
23 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Jordan Ayew has the ball and space inside the Cape Verde penalty area on the left and attempts to swing in a low cross.
It's blocked away, the danger instantly fizzling out.
22 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Cape Verde are having a decent attacking spell again. They've had almost 70% of possession now.
Manager Bubista takes a swig of water on the sideline. He's in a white polo-ish top with black trim.
20 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Ghana have a penalty appeal waved away. They've really struggled to create danger against a team 12 places below them in Fifa's rankings.
18 mins: Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde
Steven Moreira's excellent charge down the right was the catalyst for that goal. As Semedo neared the penalty area, he managed to find Jovane Cabral to his left before a defender closed him down, and Cabral hammered in a shot which Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori did well to tip away.
Ofori could only divert the ball into the path of Jamiro Monteiro at close range, though, who converted.
17 mins: GOAL – Ghana 0-1 Cape Verde (Jamiro Monteiro)
That had been coming!
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16 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
No really clear chances so far, but Cape Verde had 64% of possession, 23 of the 30 attacks and 14 of the 18 dangerous attacks during the first 15 minutes.
We're yet to have a shot on target.
13 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Ghana manager Chris Hughton is well known to many supporters around the world, having previously been permanent manager of Newcastle, Birmingham, Norwich, Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest.
He's wearing glasses and a training top tonight on the sideline tonight.
11 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Ryan Mendes is over the freekick on the edge of the penalty area in the left channel. He slams it straight into the Ghana wall.
10 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Not a good start to the game for Alexander Djiku. The Ghana defender concedes a freekick in a dangerous position for a foul on Jovane Cabral, and is booked.
9 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Jordan Ayew engages in some hold-up play inside Ghana's half, winning a free-kick over a challenge by Ryan Mendes.
Ghana want a penalty for an ensuing challenge as they work their way inside Cape Verde's half, but there's nothing doing.
8 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Just as Ghana are looking to build from the back, they gift possession back to Cape Verde when centre-back Alexander Djiku plays a routine low pass straight out of play.
The Fenerbahce defender looks annoyed with himself. As well he might.
6 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Cape Verde have applied the early pressure. They're exchanging passes in their opponents' half, but Ghana look ready to pounce and counter-attack.
4 mins: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
The first VAR check of the evening takes place following a Cape Verde corner from their right. Then another corner for them, from the left, causes more confusion, Ghana eventually clearing.
1 min: Ghana 0-0 Cape Verde
Ghana, in white, are the first to go on the attack, and Toulouse centre-back Logan Costa intervenes with an athletic, well-timed challenge to prevent an attempted through-ball into the area from causing trouble.
25 mins to kickoff: Cape Verde line up like this (4-3-3): Vozinha (GK) – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo – Pina, Duarte, Monteiro – Mendes Cabral, Bebe.
Egypt have rescued a point against Mozambique with that late Mohamed Salah penalty, the game finishing 2-2 in Abidjan. Let's hope for as much entertainment in this one!
45 mins to kickoff: Here's how Ghana start, with West Ham star Mohammed Kudus a notable absentee through injury.
(4-2-3-1): Ofori (GK) – Odoi, Dijku, Salisu, Mensah – Ashimeru, Baba – Painstil, Konigsdorffer, Ayew – Semenyo
1 hour to kickoff: Elsewhere today, it looks like a 97th-minute Mohamed Salah penalty has earned Egypt a 2-2 draw against huge underdogs Mozambique.
That game isn't finished, though...
1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: This is Ghana’s 24th appearance in the AFCON, the most after Egypt (26) and Ivory Coast (25).
The Black Stars won the tournament in four of their first seven appearances (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982) but have won none of their subsequent 16. Time to change that?
1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: Ghana and Cape Verde are facing each other for the second time at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their only previous meeting saw Ghana win 2-0 in the 2013 quarter-finals.
2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of today's AFCON opener for Ghana and Cape Verde in Abidjan.
Unbeaten in qualifying, the Black Stars kick off their Group B campaign against a side who reached AFCON courtesy of an impressive four-match run without defeat in the middle of their campaign, including three wins. At 73rd in Fifa's rankings, the 2013 quarterfinalists are 13 places below Ghana and targeting another opening victory following their defeat of Ethiopia in 2021.
Ghana vs Cape Verde lineups, team news
Ghana's options feature some well-known Premier League names but West Ham star Mohammed Kudus was ruled out by injury.
Athletic Club striker Inaki Williams was set to make his AFCON debut from the bench.
The trio are expected to be available but one key player who will not be involved in AFCON is Thomas Partey. The midfielder was left out of the squad following consultations between manager Chris Hughton and Partey's club, Arsenal, over his injury problems.
Ghana (4-2-3-1): Ofori (GK) – Odoi, Dijku, Salisu, Mensah – Ashimeru, Baba – Painstil, Konigsdorffer, Ayew – Semenyo
Ghana subs (9): Seidu, Opoku, Ayew, Bukari, Wollacott, Owusu, Zigi, Amartey, Williams, Samed, Nuamah, Sowah
Roberto Lopes, who plays for Irish side Shamrock Rovers, is one of the players from arguably the most diverse squad at the tournament plotting a Group B upset by taking Cape Verde to the knockout stage again.
No Cape Verde players represent the same club, with the group drawn from 16 countries.
Cape Verde (4-3-3 right to left): Vozinha (GK) – Moreira, Costa, Lopes, Paulo – Pina, Duarte, Monteiro – Mendes Cabral, Bebe
Cape Verde subs (9): Borges, Andrade, Tavers, Rodrigues, Rosa, Fernandes, Duarte, Santos, Afonso, Santos, Teixeria, Silva
Ghana vs Cape Verde live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this AFCON 2024 match across selected areas of the world's major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | Fubo, beIN Sports Connect, Fanatiz |
| Canada | — |
beIN Sports Connect |
| UK | Sky Sports Football | Sky GO, Now TV |
| Australia | beIN Sports 1 | beIN Sports Connect |
| India | — | FanCode |
USA: This match will be available for live streaming via beIN Sports, Fanatiz and Fubo.
Canada: BeIN Sports will offer live-streaming coverage for fans in Canada.
UK: This clash is available for live broadcast on Sky Sports Football with streaming available via Sky GO and Now TV.
Australia: BeIN Sports will provide broadcast coverage and streaming services for the tournament.
India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFCON 2024 matches.