AFCON 2023 Group B Preview: Ghana vs Cape Verde
The Black Stars of Ghana and the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde lock horns in their Group B opener on 14th January. Both teams will be looking to start strong in their first group game to put themselves in pole position to qualify to the knockout stages.
Ghana and Cape Verde have met each other four times with the former winning every encounter:
Team Guide
Ghana come into this game as overwhelming favourites on paper. After a disastrous AFCON campaign in 2021 where they exited the group stage, they will be looking to right their wrongs.
In their 5 competitive matches Ghana have won two, drawn two and lost one, with that one loss being against Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Led by the experienced Chris Hughton in his first major tournament as head coach, eyes will be on him to make a good impression and get his team to be competitive. Ghana will be without star midfielder Thomas Partey who misses out due to injury. However, they will have the likes of Mohammed Kudus (who goes to camp with a minor injury and could miss the first match), in-form striker Inaki Williams, and Jordan Ayew, leading the team. Veteran striker Andre Ayew will be entering his 8th AFCON with 116 caps (and counting) to his name already making him the Black Star’s most capped player.
Cape Verde on paper are underdogs but have proven to be a difficult team to play against. They made their AFCON debut in 2013 where they went as far as the quarterfinals. In the last AFCON in 2021, they exited at the round of 16 losing to eventual winners Senegal. Going into their 4th AFCON, the Blue Sharks will be aiming to go deeper into the tournament’s knockout stages.
In their last 5 competitve fixtures, they have won 3, and lost 1 and drawn 1, with their latest win against Eswatini in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Head coach Pedro ‘Bubista’ Leitão will lead his team in his second AFCON. Known for his attacking style of play, Leitão’s side will be a team to be wary of. Former Manchester United player Bebe will be counted on for his experience while the young; exciting prospect Jovanne Cabral will be looking to make an impact for his nation and make his name known in the tournament. Cape Verde’s most capped and experienced player Ryan Mendes, with 67 caps (and counting) and 15 goals to his name, will be heavily relied on to get the goals and propel his team.
Closing
The match kicks off at the newly rennovated Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abijan at 8PM GMT.
Predicted Lineups
Ghana: Lawrence Ati-Zigi —Denis Odoi — Mohammed Salisu —Alexander Djiku — Gideon Mensah — Salis Abdul Samed —Baba Iddrissu — Majeed Ashimeru — Jordan Ayew — Joseph Paintsil — Inaki Williams.
Cape Verde: Vozinha — Steven Moreira — Pico Lopes — Logan Costa — Dylan Tavares — Deroy Duarte — Jamiro Monteiro — João Paulo — Ryan Mendes — Jovane Cabral — Garry Rodrigues.
Match Prediction
Cape Verde have proven to be a thorn in the side of big teams especially. They are a fearless side. The Blue Sharks will be no push-over in this tournament, I expect them to give their opponents a headache.
Ghana on the other hand, have shown no signs of improvement in the lead-up to this tournament and are quite unpredictable; what version of the Black Stars will show?
Prediction: a 1–1 draw.
