Ghana won their debut AFCON as a host in 1963 after beating Sudan 3-0 in the finals. Aggrey-Fynn’s 62nd-minute penalty and Edward Kobinah Acquah’s brace in the 72nd and 82nd minutes secured Ghana’s first-ever AFCON trophy.
Ghana went to Tunisia in 1965 with the difficult task of defending the trophy to repeat what Egypt did in 1957 and 1959.
With Charles Gyamfi at the helm and the talented Osei Kofi, Ben Acheampong, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Nii Dodoo Ankrah, Charles Addo Odametey, Sam Acquah, Agyeman Gyau among other stars at his disposal, no one could doubt Ghana for defending the title.
Ghana in Group B destroyed Congo-Leopoldville, now DR Congo, (5-2) with an opening goal from Osei Kofi and a brace each from Ben Acheampong and Jones Attuquayefio as Kalala Mukendi’s brace was a mere consolation for DR Congo.
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Ghana thrashed Ivory Coast 4-1 in the second game of the group with a goal each from Acheampong, Nti, Lutterodt, and Osei Kofi.
Ghana met Tunisia in the finals as winners of the two groups- 3 teams in each, qualified straight to the finals.
Frank Odoi scored the opener for Ghana in the 37th minute with Chetali equalising for the North Africans two minutes into the second half. Tahar Chaibi gave Tunisia a 2-1 lead in the 67th minute as the host thought they were going to lift the trophy.
Osei Kofi’s 79th-minute goal levelled the score for Ghana as the match ended 2-2 in the 90 minutes.
Frank Odoi shocked Tunisia by scoring in the 96th minute which proved to be the winner for the Black Stars.
Charles Gyamfi’s Black Stars displayed quality, fighting spirit and resilience as they were unplayable in Tunisia.
Ben Acheampong, Osei Kofi and Ivorian Eustache Mangle all scored 3 goals and hence shared the top scorer award.
Charles Kumi Gyamfi was the first coach to win the AFCON back to back (1963,1965) and also the first manager to win it three times after helping Ghana lift the title in 1982 again.
Hassan Shehaata equalled Gyamfi’s record as he guided the Pharaohs of Egypt to win the title three consecutive times in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
CK Gyamfi’s name will forever remain in the history books of Ghana and African football.
