In 1982, Ghana’s Black Stars etched their name in football history by claiming their fourth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The thrilling final, held in Libya, saw the host nation go head-to-head with Ghana in a dramatic match that ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Ghana’s George Alhassan, a legend of Accra Great Olympics, opened the scoring in the 35th minute. However, Libya’s Ali Al-Beshari equalized in the 70th minute, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout. Ghana ultimately triumphed 7-6, silencing the partisan Libyan crowd.

But the victory celebrations soon turned sour. According to Black Stars goalkeeper Owusu Mensah, the jubilant team was preparing to receive their medals and the trophy when chaos erupted. Angered by the loss, some Libyan fans threatened to attack the Ghanaian players, forcing them to leave the stadium in haste.

“Normally, the medals and trophy are presented at the stadium,” Owusu Mensah shared on the Ernest Bruce Smith Show. “But we were attacked and had to run away. This has never happened before.”

Instead of a grand presentation on the podium, the Black Stars were handed their well-deserved medals and trophy later at their hotel. For players like George Alhassan, Opoku Nti, and Haruna Yusif, the moment was bittersweet—an iconic triumph overshadowed by the hostile aftermath.

The 1982 AFCON final remains a poignant reminder of how the passion of football can ignite both joyous celebrations and unexpected chaos.