Ghana's Black Meteors suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Libya in the first leg of their 2027 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi on Wednesday night.
The defeat followed a controversial second-half dismissal of defender Antwi Dacosta, who received a second yellow card after an aerial challenge in which he was accused of elbowing an opponent.
Ghana were reduced to 10 men following the incident, making their task more difficult as Libya increased the pressure in search of a breakthrough.
The hosts eventually found the winning goal late in the game after goalkeeper Gidios Aseako failed to hold a shot directed towards him, spilling the ball into his own net.
The late goal dealt a further blow to Ghana's hopes of securing a positive result away from home.
Head coach Desmond Ofei was visibly frustrated by some of the officiating decisions during the encounter, particularly the circumstances surrounding Dacosta's dismissal.
The Black Meteors must now overturn the one-goal deficit when both sides meet in the return leg on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Ghana are also targeting a return to the men's football competition at the Olympic Games for the first time since Athens 2004, with qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Games forming part of the team's ambitions.
