Mohammed Kudus missed a last-minute penalty as Ghana endured a crushing 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving the Black Stars’ AFCON hopes in tatters.
The loss capped off a disastrous qualifying campaign for the Black Stars, who finished rock bottom of Group F with zero wins, three losses, and three draws.
Ghana managed a meager three goals across six matches, an alarming statistic that highlighted the team’s struggles throughout the campaign.
Group F was dominated by Angola, who secured top spot, while Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan also qualified, leaving Ghana at the bottom with no hope of progression.
In the match, Ghana made several changes, including giving debuts to Nathaniel Adjei, Terry Yegbe, and Isaac Afful, while 17-year-old Jerry Afriyie, who plays for the third-tier side Thoughts FC, came on as a substitute.
Afriyie made an instant impact, scoring a brilliant equalizer in the 67th minute after Niger took the lead through Ousseini Badamassi’s first-half goal.
The youngster’s goal, which was a fine solo effort, temporarily lifted Ghana’s spirits and gave hope that they might salvage something from the game.
However, just as Ghana seemed to have found a way back, Niger responded in dramatic fashion. In stoppage time, Oumar Sako capitalized on a defensive lapse, heading home from a free-kick to give Niger a vital 2-1 victory.
The goal dashed Ghana’s hopes of securing a late point, and the mood in the stadium quickly shifted from optimism to despair.
In the dying seconds of the match, Ghana were handed a golden opportunity to equalize when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Kudus.
However, Kudus, who had been the team’s standout performer throughout the match, saw his penalty saved by Niger’s goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja, who made a crucial, point-blank save. The miss, and the final whistle, condemned Ghana to their final defeat of a disappointing qualification campaign.
This result brings the curtain down on Ghana’s miserable AFCON qualifying journey, with serious questions now being asked about the future of coach Otto Addo.
Under Addo, the Black Stars managed just two wins in ten matches during his second stint as coach, a record that has raised concerns about his ability to lead the team forward. Addo, who was brought in to revive the team’s fortunes, now faces increasing scrutiny and calls for accountability from the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The GFA’s Executive Council is set to meet on Wednesday to review the team’s performance, which has been underwhelming despite high expectations.
The defeat has also sparked growing concerns about the leadership and structure of the national team, with many questioning the tactical approach and the ability of the players to perform under pressure.
Several key players, including Kudus, have shown flashes of brilliance during the campaign, but individual performances have not been enough to mask the systemic issues that have plagued the team.
This defeat marks the end of a grim and disappointing AFCON qualification for Ghana, with the Black Stars now facing the reality of missing out on the continent’s premier football competition.
Looking ahead, the future of Ghanaian football appears uncertain, with the leadership and direction of the team set to come under intense review in the coming weeks.
