THE 1992 AFCON FINAL – A NIGHT OF GLORY, PAIN, AND CONTROVERSY

On January 26, 1992, the stage was set in Dakar, Senegal, for what would become one of the most dramatic and controversial finals in AFCON history — Ghana vs. Ivory Coast.

The game ended 0–0 after extra time, but what followed was a nerve-shattering penalty shootout. 24 penalties. Each man on the pitch had to step up. In the end, Ivory Coast edged Ghana 11–10 in what was, at the time, the longest shootout ever in an AFCON final.

But behind the tension and heartbreak was a storm of controversy:

Abedi Pele, Ghana’s talisman and captain, was suspended for the final after picking up a second yellow card in the semi-final — a decision many still believe was unfair and questionable. With Abedi out, many say Ghana lost its spark.

His absence led to another storm — Anthony Baffoe, a Ghanaian-born German player, was named captain ahead of local legends like Tony Yeboah. That decision sparked internal tension in the camp and divided opinions nationwide.

After the loss, the Ghanaian Football Association and Coach Otto Pfister faced harsh criticism. Accusations of favoritism, mismanagement, and poor planning echoed across the country.

Till today, many Ghanaians believe:

“If Abedi Pele had played that final, Ghana would have lifted the trophy.”

The 1992 AFCON final was more than a game — it was a mix of glory, heartbreak, politics, and ‘what-ifs’.

Do you remember that final?