Ghana’s amputee football team, the Black Challenge, clinched the 2024 Amputee Africa Cup of Nations title with an exhilarating 2-1 victory over Morocco in the final held in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday.

This win secures their place in the 2026 World Amputee Football World Cup in Panama. Despite conceding an early goal in the first half, Ghana made a remarkable comeback in the second half and extra time to seal the victory.

This triumph marks their successful defense of the title, having also won the previous edition in 2021. Additionally, the Black Challenge has now achieved a double over Morocco within the past year, having defeated them by the same scoreline in September 2023 to win the inaugural African Para Games.

“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. It is a massive motivation to everybody that you might not have the support you need but you can go beyond the odds and make it happen,” said Stephen Richard Obeng, head coach of the Black Challenge, in an interview with the media.

Ghana received support from some Egyptians, as well as from Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans who had exited the competition. Mubarak Mohammed, who scored a stunning long-range goal, was voted the Player of the Tournament, and Richard Stephen Obeng was named the Best Coach of the 2024 African Amputee Cup of Nations.

The team is scheduled to return to Ghana on Tuesday morning. Minister of Youth & Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, congratulated the Black Challenge for defending their title, saying, “Your determination and skill have once again made Ghana proud. Kudos to the entire team for this remarkable victory!”

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