The Black Stars of Ghana have suffered a major setback in their footballing legacy, failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 20 years.
Also Read: AFCON Qualifiers Match Report! Angola vs Ghana Match Updates, News and Scores (15th November, 2024)
A 1-1 draw against Angola on Friday in Group F marked the end of their journey, leaving fans disappointed and the team to reflect on what went wrong.
A Bitter End to a Tough Campaign
Needing an outright win to keep their qualification hopes alive, the four-time AFCON champions put up a spirited performance in Luanda. Jordan Ayew gave Ghana a glimmer of hope by opening the scoring in the 18th minute. However, Angola, who had already secured their spot in the tournament, equalized in the 64th minute through Ambrosini Salvador.
The draw left Ghana at the bottom of the Group F standings, four points behind second-placed Sudan, with just one game remaining. This result confirmed that Ghana would miss the AFCON finals for the first time since the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
Injuries and Missed Opportunities
Ghana’s struggles were compounded by the absence of eight key players due to injuries, including Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to deliver their best performance of the qualifiers in the penultimate round. Yet, their efforts fell short, reflecting a campaign marred by inconsistency and missed chances.
Heading into Friday’s match, Ghana had failed to win any of their previous four games, a run that ultimately sealed their fate.
A Decline in AFCON Performances
This failure is part of a troubling trend for Ghanaian football on the continental stage. In the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments, the Black Stars exited at the group stage, signaling a decline in the team’s dominance in African football.
What’s Next for the Black Stars?
With their absence from AFCON 2025 confirmed, Ghana must focus on rebuilding and addressing the issues that have plagued their recent campaigns. This includes enhancing squad depth, addressing injury concerns, and rediscovering the winning mentality that made them one of Africa’s most feared teams.
For now, the Black Stars and their fans will have to watch from the sidelines as the rest of Africa competes for the continent’s most prestigious trophy. This historic failure serves as a wake-up call for a team that once set the standard in African football.
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