Today in history: Black Stars win 4th AFCON

Today in history, exactly 38 years ago, on 19 March 1982, the Black Stars of Ghana beat host Libya in a dramatic penalty shootout to claim their 4th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title following triumphs in 1963, 1965 and 1978.

The 1982 Africa Cup of Nations was the 13th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON), the association football championship of African nations run by the CAF.

It was hosted by Libya. Just like in 1980, there were eight teams which were split into two groups of four. Ghana won its fourth championship, beating Libya on penalty kicks 7?6 after a 1?1 draw.

The Black Stars of Ghana shot into the lead in the 35th minute through George Alhassan, the oldest player in the Black Stars during the tournament, but the Libyans with defeat smiling at their face threw everything upfront and succeeded to cancel the lead in the 70th minute through Beshari.

The rest of the minutes played couldn’t produce any further goal, so the referee ushered the two sides into the first-ever tie breaking exercise in a final to be decided on penalties.

Peter Lamptey, George Alhassan, Isaac Paha, Albert Asaase, Kofi Abbrey, Emmanuel Quarshie scored for Ghana while goalkeeper Michael Owusu Mensah missed his kick but he also saved a 6th penalty kick by the Libyans. Owusu Mensah, again saved the Libyans 7th penalty to help Black Stars of Ghana win its 4th AFCON.

For Libya, Al-Beshari, Sold, Al-Ajeli, Ben-Suleiman, Al-Ferjani and Jaranah scored from their kicks while Ghonaim and Zeiyu missed their kicks.

This was the Black Stars of Ghana’s fourth and last continental title.