Sudan has joined Angola in securing a spot at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, despite Niger’s surprising 2-1 win over Ghana in the final Group F qualifiers. Sudan and Angola played out a goalless draw in their final group match, with Angola finishing at the top of the table with 14 points, while Sudan clinched the second qualification spot with 8 points.
Niger ended their campaign in third place with 7 points, while Ghana, shockingly, finished at the bottom with only 3 points and no wins throughout the qualifiers. This marks the first time in 20 years that the Black Stars have failed to qualify for the AFCON, a development many describe as the lowest point in the team’s history.
The match between Ghana and Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium was a dramatic affair. Niger’s Umar Sako secured the win with a powerful injury-time header from a free-kick, following Jerry Afriyie’s earlier equalizer for Ghana. Afriyie had come off the bench to briefly revive hope for the Black Stars.
Ghana’s captain, Mohammed Kudus, who plays for West Ham, had a golden opportunity to salvage a draw with a last-minute penalty. However, his miss added to the team’s frustrations and ultimately sealed their disappointing campaign.
Before the match, head coach Otto Addo had emphasized playing for pride, but after 90 minutes, it was Niger celebrating a hard-fought victory. The lackluster performance from the Black Stars led to a near-empty stadium, as disillusioned fans chose to stay away.
Otto Addo now faces mounting pressure to step down after failing to guide the team to AFCON qualification. The Ghana Football Association has announced an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the team’s dismal performance and chart the way forward.
While Angola and Sudan prepare for the continental tournament in Morocco, Ghana must now rebuild and reflect on a campaign that fell far short of expectations.
