Ghana’s Black Meteors suffered a 1-0 defeat to Libya in the first leg of their 2027 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi on Wednesday.
The defeat leaves Ghana with work to do ahead of next week’s return fixture after a difficult encounter in which they played much of the game with 10 men.
Defender Antwi Dacosta was sent off after receiving a second yellow card following an aerial challenge in which he was adjudged to have elbowed an opponent.
The dismissal left the Black Meteors at a numerical disadvantage, with Libya eventually capitalising to snatch a late winner.
Goalkeeper Gidios Aseako will feel he could have done better with the decisive goal after failing to hold a shot directed towards him, spilling the ball into his own net.
The late setback added to Ghana’s frustrations on the evening, with head coach Desmond Ofei visibly unhappy with some of the officiating decisions.
The Black Meteors must now overturn the one-goal deficit when the two sides meet in the second leg on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, to keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 U-23 AFCON alive.
Ghana are also aiming to return to the men’s football competition at the Olympic Games for the first time since Athens 2004, with qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games among the team’s long-term objectives.