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Ghanaian players and fans faced disappointment and tears as the Black Stars exited the Africa Cup of Nations during the group stage. This marks the second consecutive AFCON edition in which Ghana has suffered an early exit, following their defeat to Tunisia in the 2019 tournament. Despite being favorites to qualify from their group, losses to Cape Verde and draws with Egypt and Mozambique resulted in the Black Stars securing only two points out of a possible nine.

The West Africans, led by goalkeeper Richard Ofori and the Ayew brothers, faced criticism from fans for their performance. The team's exit, characterized by losing leads in the last two games, extends Ghana's quest for a fifth AFCON trophy since their last victory in 1982. Frustrated fans expressed their anger by smashing windows of the team bus, highlighting their disappointment.

Notably, angry journalists barricaded the bus to display displeasure, and a fan was arrested for assaulting head coach Chris Hughton after Ghana's 2-1 loss to Cape Verde. In a video, a journalist was recorded insulting Hughton, emphasizing the fans' discontent.

Ghanaian fans took to social media to voice their frustration, criticizing players like Richard Ofori and branding captain Andre Ayew as the worst in the country's history. The Ayew brothers faced accusations of monopolizing the team, with some suggesting they should step aside and let others play.

The disappointment also fueled the rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria, with fans engaging in banter. Nigerians mocked Ghana after a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, reviving the traditional rivalry that spans across food, music, movies, and sports. The banter continued on social media, reflecting the intense rivalry between the two West African nations.

In the aftermath of the AFCON exit, Ghanaians expressed their dissatisfaction with the team's performance, calling for changes and reflecting on the team's evolution since the time of Asamoah Gyan. Meanwhile, Nigerians seized the opportunity to celebrate their own success and revive the longstanding competition between the two nations across various aspects of life.