Exactly 61 years ago, on Sunday, December 1963, the Black Stars lifted their first African Cup of Nations trophy on home soil after defeating Sudan.

The tournament, the fourth edition, was hosted in Ghana with six countries participating. Making their debut appearance, Ghana was placed in Group A alongside defending champions Ethiopia and Tunisia. Group B consisted of Nigeria, Sudan, and Egypt.

The team, managed by C.K. Gyamfi, was composed entirely of local players, with the majority sourced from Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s club, the Real Republicans.

The squad included Dodoo Ankrah (Real Republicans), Evans Oblitey (Real Republicans), Franklin Crentsil (Real Republicans), Kwame Adarkwa (Kotoko), Kofi Pare (Real Republicans), Wilberforce Mfum (Kotoko), Agyemang Gyau (Real Republicans), Leonard Acquah (Defence Stars), E.E. De Graft (Cornerstone), Osei Kofi (Kotoko), Addo Odametey (Real Republicans), Edward Acquah (Real Republicans), Mohammed Salisu (Kotoko), Aggrey-Fynn - Captain (Real Republicans), Ofei Dodoo (Hearts of Oak), Joe Aikens (Cornerstone), Atta Kwame (B.A. United), and Ben Acheampong, formerly Ben Simmons (Real Republicans).

The Black Stars began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia. Wilberforce Mfum scored Ghana’s only goal in the game, becoming the first Ghanaian player to score in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The team went on to beat defending champions Ethiopia 2-0 to top the group and reach the final. Edward Acquah scored both goals in the game, setting up a final against Sudan, who had topped Group B ahead of Nigeria and Egypt.

In the final, played at a packed Accra Sports Stadium, the first half ended goalless, leaving anxious home fans eager for a breakthrough.

That breakthrough came in the 62nd minute when Ghana was awarded a penalty, which skipper Edward Aggrey-Fynn courageously converted to give the Black Stars the lead.

Edward Acquah later scored twice, in the 72nd and 82nd minutes, to seal the victory against Sudan and secure Ghana’s first AFCON title. The triumph was significant in unifying the young nation, which had just gained independence from the British in 1957.

It was also a reward for the deliberate planning and investment in the sport by the government led by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The Stars went on to dominate the competition, winning three more titles in 1965, 1978, and 1982 in Tunisia, Ghana, and Libya, respectively.

For over two decades, Ghana remained the most decorated team in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with four titles, a record eventually surpassed by Egypt (7 titles) and Cameroon (5 titles).

Since their last triumph in 1982, the Black Stars have not lifted the trophy, a drought now spanning 40 years. Their performance also declined to the point where the team has failed to qualify for the next AFCON in 2025.