Ghana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde at the Stade Felix Houphoet-Boigny in their group stage opening game.
Jamiro Monteiro and Garry Rodriguez scored for Cape Verde whereas Alexander Djiku got a consolation for the Black Stars of Ghana.
Cape Verde started with a slow build up from defense to attack which opened up the defenses of Ghana, forcing Alexander Djiku and Jordan Ayew going into the referee's books before the first quarter of the game.
Cape Verde took advantage of Ghana's cautions to take the lead on the 17th minute through Jamiro Monteiro after Jovane Cabral's shot outside the box was parried away by Richard Ofori which fell for the goalscorer to tap in for the opener.
Ransford Yeboah Konigsdauffer missed a sitter on the 26th minute when he failed to finish off a sweet move on the left between Gideon Mensah and Jordan Ayew due his poor awareness inside the box.
Ghana's goal on the 36th minute by Majeed Ashimeru was overturned for offside by Ransford Yeboah Konigsdauffer after referee Ndala Ngambo visited the VAR.
The Hamburger SV attacker came close to getting the equalizer after Joseph Paintsil's daring run inside the box found him but his innocuous challenge to the ball hit the work wood which fell for Majeed Ashimeru to drill the ball at the bottom corner but was ruled offside.
Cape Verde ended the controversial first half with a 1-0 victory.
In the second half, Ghana build up to their good ending of the first half to pile up the incessant pressure on Cape Verde to get the equalizer which came through Alexander Djiku on the 56th minute when he headed home a cross from Jordan Ayew from a corner kick to bring Ghana back into the game.
Ghana could have taken the lead on the 60th minute when Joseph Paintsil delayed with his move to tap in from close range of Antonio Semenyo's great drive inside the box from the left flanks.
The Black Stars upped their game and were on the ride of getting the winner when the defensive network jammed for Garry Rodriguez to slot home a loose ball won away from Salisu Mohammed inside the Ghana box to give Cape Verde a 2-1 lead.
Ghana failed to rise from their abysmal outing in their last AFCON in Cameroon and have to continue from where they ended in this fixture against a more organized side.
Cape Verde takes the lead on the table after Egypt and Mozambique split points earlier in the group.
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