The Black Stars’ hopes for AFCON 2025 came to a dismal end with a 2-1 home defeat to Niger at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Match Updates: Ghana’s 2-1 Loss to Niger
Ghana’s disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign came to a bitter end with a 2-1 loss to Niger, ensuring the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2004.
Head coach Otto Addo handed debut call-ups to Terry Yegbe, Nathaniel Adjei, and Isaac Afful, while Razak Simpson retained his spot after impressing in the previous match against Angola.
However, despite the changes, the team struggled with cohesion from the start, allowing Niger to take control of the match.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute when Sumaila Badamasi rose above Ghana’s defense to head in a corner from Alhassane Bonkano. Three minutes later, Niger nearly doubled their lead when Anthony Sosah’s shot sailed wide after a brilliant setup from Bonkano.
Ghana’s first significant opportunity came from Ernest Nuamah, whose cross narrowly missed Mohammed Kudus. Yegbe appeared to have equalized shortly after, but his goal was ruled out for a foul on Niger’s goalkeeper Kassali Djibo.
Otto Addo’s halftime substitutions, including Osman Bukari, injected some urgency into Ghana’s play. Just before the break, Ghana came close once more, with Bukari’s effort going wide.
In the second half, Ghana’s tempo increased as the team pressed for an equalizer. Substitutes Ebenezer Annan and Kamaradini Mamudu added energy to the midfield, and it paid off in the 67th minute when Jerry Afriyie slotted in Nuamah’s cross to equalize. Ghana continued their search for a winner, but Niger’s defense held firm.
Late in stoppage time, Daniel Sosah scored the winning goal for Niger, rising above Ghana’s defense to head home the decisive goal.
Moments later, Ghana was awarded a penalty after Mohammed Kudus was fouled in the box, but his spot-kick was missed, sealing Ghana’s fate.
News: Ghana Fails to Qualify for AFCON 2025
This defeat to Niger means that Ghana has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in two decades. Ending the qualifying campaign with just three points, Ghana finished at the bottom of Group F.
Niger secured third place with seven points, while Sudan (eight points) and Angola (14 points) advanced to the tournament proper.
The loss marks a historic low for Ghanaian football, as this is the first time the Black Stars have gone through an entire AFCON qualifying campaign without securing a single win. Fans and pundits alike are left to reflect on the team’s struggles and question the future direction of the national team.
With key players like Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah still showing promise, the failure to qualify raises serious concerns about team cohesion, management, and overall performance moving forward.
Scores: Ghana 1-2 Niger
Niger took the lead in the 29th minute when Sumaila Badamasi’s header from Alhassane Bonkano’s corner beat the Ghanaian defense. Despite Ghana’s efforts to respond, the Black Stars failed to capitalize on their chances, with a disallowed goal from Terry Yegbe and a near miss from Osman Bukari before halftime.
The second half saw Ghana push for an equalizer, and in the 67th minute, Jerry Afriyie capitalized on Nuamah’s cross to make it 1-1. But Niger restored their lead in stoppage time through Daniel Sosah, whose header left Ghana with no time to respond.
In the final moments, Ghana had a chance to equalize with a penalty, but Mohammed Kudus’ miss sealed their defeat. The final score was Ghana 1-2 Niger.
