For the first time in 20 years, Ghana’s Black Stars have failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a 1-1 draw with Angola in Luanda on Friday evening.
The draw left Ghana at the bottom of Group F with just two points from five matches, sealing their fate as they failed to secure a spot in the 2025 tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Entering the match with slim chances, Ghana needed a win to stay in the race for qualification, as they had accumulated only two points from four previous games.
Unfortunately, Angola, already leading the group with an unbeaten home record, proved too tough for the struggling Black Stars.
Ghana captain Jordan Ayew gave the team an early boost, scoring a 19th-minute free-kick to give Ghana the lead. But moments later, Angola was awarded a penalty when Black Stars goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen fouled N’bala Nzola in the box. Nurudeen, however, became the hero of the moment, saving Nzola’s penalty to keep Ghana in front at halftime.
The second half, however, saw a shift in momentum. Angola, playing with confidence and determination, pressed forward and equalized in the 64th minute through substitute Zini, who made an immediate impact after coming off the bench.
Despite late efforts from both teams, including a few promising chances for Ghana, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, dashing any hopes for a dramatic turnaround.
Ghana’s qualification campaign has been underwhelming, especially considering the team’s past dominance in African football. Angola and Sudan, who both secured their spots for AFCON 2025, finished top of Group F with 12 and 7 points, respectively.
Ghana, with only two points, was left with nothing to play for in their final group match against Niger in Accra on Monday, which had no bearing on qualification.
This failure marks a significant setback for the Black Stars, as the last time the team failed to qualify for AFCON was in 2004. During that campaign, Ghana struggled in a three-team group alongside Rwanda and Uganda, finishing with only four points from four matches.
The current situation feels even more disappointing, considering Ghana’s rich football history and the high expectations placed on them by their passionate fans.
The Black Stars’ failure to qualify for AFCON 2025 raises serious questions about the team’s management, coaching, and overall strategic direction. With the World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Ghana faces an urgent need for reflection and a complete rebuild to restore the team’s status as a continental powerhouse.
Fans, who have grown accustomed to the team’s previous successes, are calling for a renewed commitment to excellence and accountability within the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The focus now should be on developing young talent, improving team cohesion, and addressing weaknesses that were exposed during the qualifiers.
Despite the setback, there remains hope that the Black Stars can bounce back stronger, as they have done in the past, and ensure that such disappointments become rare in future campaigns.
