In a final match held in Cairo, Egypt, Ghana’s national amputee football team, the Black Challenge, emerged victorious at the 2024 African Amputee Football Cup of Nations (AAFCON). The team clinched the title after a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Morocco.
The match began with an early setback for the Black Challenge as the North Africans took the lead. However, Ghana’s resilience shone through as forward Mohammed Mubarak netted twice, overturning the deficit and securing the win for his team. This victory marks a significant achievement, with Ghana successfully defending their title, having also won the AAFCON in 2021.
Head coach Stephen Richard Obeng expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, especially in light of the challenges they faced leading up to the tournament. “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,” Obeng stated, highlighting the team’s determination and tenacity despite limited support .
The Minister for Youth and Sport, Mustapha Ussif, joined in the celebrations, commending the Black Challenge for their remarkable achievement. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Congratulations to the Black Challenge for defending their title at the African Amputee Football Cup of Nations! Your determination and skill have once again made Ghana proud. Kudos to the entire team for this remarkable victory!”
This latest triumph not only solidifies Ghana’s dominance in African amputee football but also secures their place in the next Amputee Football World Cup set for 2026. The Black Challenge’s consistent excellence is further underscored by their gold medal win at the inaugural African Para Games Amputee Football Tournament last October.
Ghana’s back-to-back AAFCON titles and their continuous success on the international stage highlight the team’s unwavering spirit and dedication, serving as a beacon of inspiration for all.