2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana Finishes Bottom in Group F After Loss to Niger
The Black Stars of Ghana ended their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign on a sour note, losing 2-1 at home to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium. The defeat marked the culmination of a dismal campaign, with Ghana failing to secure a single win in six matches.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Ousseinni Bassamassi, eliciting a surprise celebration and applause from the home crowd, who rather booed the Stars.
Despite Ghana’s efforts to break through, the first half ended with Niger holding onto their slim lead.
Ghana finally equalized in the 67th minute when Jerry Afriyie, making his debut for the senior national team, scored to bring the Black Stars level.
However, Niger struck a devastating blow in added time, regaining the lead with only moments left on the clock.
The Black Stars were handed a lifeline in the 94th minute when Mohammed Kudus was brought down in the box, earning Ghana a penalty.
The West Ham attacker, however, failed to convert the spot kick, leaving the hosts to rue missed opportunities as the final whistle blew.
A Campaign to Forget
The loss to Niger capped a dismal qualifying series for Ghana, who finished bottom of Group F with: 0 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses amassing 3 points in the process.
The group also featured Angola, Sudan, and Niger. Sudan secured second place in the group after holding Angola to a draw, joining group winners Angola in qualifying for the tournament. Niger, despite their victory, also missed out on qualification.
This failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 represents a significant low for Ghanaian football. This is the first time in two decades that the Black Stars will not feature at the AFCON failing to do so in 2004.
The Black Stars struggled throughout the qualifiers, with a lack of cutting-edge in attack and defensive lapses costing them valuable points.
The inability to win even a single match is a stark contrast to Ghana’s storied history in African football. Fans and pundits alike have expressed disappointment at the team’s performance, which raises questions about the current state of the national side.
Looking Ahead
With Angola and Sudan set to join 22 other nations at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, Ghana will miss out on the opportunity to compete in Africa’s biggest football tournament.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) now faces immense pressure to address the team’s struggles and rebuild for the future.
The focus will shift to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the Black Stars will have a chance to redeem themselves.
However, significant changes in tactics, player selection, and team cohesion will be necessary to restore confidence in the national team.
For Ghanaian football fans, this campaign will serve as a sobering reminder of the work needed to return the Black Stars to their former glory.