Ghana is marking the 48th anniversary of its memorable triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978, when the Ghana national football team defeated Uganda national football team 2-0 in the final at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The victory on March 16, 1978, remains one of the most significant moments in Ghana’s football history, as the country became the first nation to win the continental tournament three times and permanently keep the AFCON trophy.
Ghanaian forward Opoku Afriyie was the hero of the final, scoring both goals that secured the win and cemented his place among the country’s football legends.
The Black Stars squad was led by captain Awuley Quaye and featured several iconic players who played key roles in Ghanaian football during that era. Among them were midfield maestros Karim Abdul Razak and Mohammed Polo.
Ghana’s 1978 AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers:
Joseph Carr, Abdulai Chesco, Fuseini Salifu
Defenders:
P.S.K. Paha, Ofei Ansah, Haruna Yusif, Isaac Acquaye, Awuley Quaye, James Kuuku Dadzie, Justice Moore
Midfielders:
Adolf Armah, John Nketia Yawson, Addae Kyenkyehene, Karim Abdul Razak, Mohammed Polo
Forwards:
Dan Kayede, George Alhassan, Emmanuel Quarshie, Opoku Afriyie, Anas Seidu, Willie Klutse, Kuntu Blankson
The 1978 success remains one of Ghana’s proudest football achievements. The Black Stars later captured their fourth AFCON title in 1982 but have since been unable to reclaim the continental crown despite reaching multiple finals over the decades.
