In a decisive moment for Ghana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification, all eyes will be on the Niger-Sudan clash in Lomé, Togo, this Thursday. This match has the potential to be the turning point for the Black Stars’ AFCON hopes.
After suffering a significant setback in the previous month’s double-header qualifiers against Sudan, Ghana is now teetering on the brink of missing out on the continental tournament for the first time in 20 years, sitting with only 2 points.
Angola, having already secured their place in the tournament with 12 points, is safely through to the next round.
However, it’s the competition between Sudan (7 points) and Niger (1 point) that will determine Ghana’s fate. Sudan, currently in a strong position to qualify for their first AFCON since 2021, need just one point from their final two matches, against Niger and Angola, to secure their spot in the 2025 tournament.
Given Sudan’s recent impressive form under the guidance of coach Kwesi Appiah, it would be a major surprise if they fail to qualify.
On the other hand, Ghana’s qualification now depends not only on their own results but also on the outcomes of other matches.
The Black Stars must win both of their remaining fixtures against Angola and Niger, while also hoping that Sudan loses both of their remaining games. This scenario will allow Ghana to leapfrog Sudan and secure one of the remaining spots in Group F.
The situation is particularly precarious for Ghana, as the team requires outside assistance to qualify. Niger, whom Ghana’s Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku famously dismissed after their 1-1 draw in the previous qualifier, now holds the key to Ghana’s destiny.
Okraku had infamously remarked about the poor performance, stating that many of the Niger players wouldn’t even make it into his club’s squad, reflecting the frustration surrounding Ghana’s disappointing result.
Ghana’s hopes could be shattered if Niger fails to defeat Sudan on Thursday, or if Niger wins but Angola manages to secure a point in their match against Ghana on Friday.
This means that for Ghana to keep their qualification dreams alive, they must not only beat Angola and Niger but also rely on favorable results from the other Group F encounters.
As the match in Lomé draws near, Ghana’s football fans are holding their collective breath. The Black Stars’ AFCON ambitions are hanging by a thread, and the outcome of the Niger-Sudan match could determine whether they have any chance of reaching the tournament in 2025.
This crucial match promises to be a nerve-wracking, edge-of-the-seat encounter with everything on the line for Ghana’s football future.
