The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde defeated Ghana 2-1 in a Group B match on Sunday at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, causing the first significant upset of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

With just 6 minutes to end the game, substitute, Garry Rodrigues scored late to hand Cape Verde all three points against the Black Stars of Ghana in their first game of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

First-half dominance by Bubista’s team was evident in the goal scored on the rebound by Jamiro Monteiro in the 17th minute, following Richard Ofori’s only partial parry of Jovane Cabral’s initial long-range effort.

After Majeed Ashimeru put the ball in the net moments after Ransford Koenigsdoerffer struck the right post from close range in the 35th minute, Ghana attempted to respond, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review.

However, on 56th minute Alexander Djiku headed a corner kick into the left corner of the goalpost to give Chris Hughton’s team an important equalizer.

Jovane Cabral forced Ofori into a smart save from inside the area on the left in the 83rd minute as Cape Verde increased the pressure, and seven minutes later Garry Rodrigues also put the goalkeeper to the test.

Their efforts paid off in the second minute of stoppage time, as Rodrigues scored a dramatic winner by latching onto a pass from Gilson Benchimol and putting it past Ofori.

With three points, Cape Verde currently leads Group D.

At the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny on Thursday, January 18, Ghana will play Egypt.