Ghana under pressure to beat Angola after early 'Christmas Gift' from Niger

The Black Stars of Ghana find themselves under immense pressure to secure a victory against Angola on Friday as they fight to keep their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification hopes alive.

This comes on the heels of an unexpected 4-0 victory by Niger over Sudan, a result many are calling an early "Christmas gift" for Ghana.

On Thursday, Niger pulled off a stunning upset, thrashing Sudan 4-0 in what was seen as a decisive match for Group F.

Sudan only needed a draw to confirm their place in the 2025 AFCON, which would have effectively ended Ghana's qualification hopes.

However, the Sudanese team that had previously outclassed Ghana in a 2-0 defeat last month failed to show up, delivering a lacklustre performance.

In contrast, Niger put on a spectacular display, clinching their first win of the qualifiers in dramatic fashion. Daniel Sosah led the charge with two goals, while Youssef Oumarou and Ousseini Badamassi each contributed a goal, sealing an emphatic 4-0 victory.

This commanding performance not only earned Niger their first points but also saw them leapfrog Ghana in the Group F standings.

Ghana's Path to Qualification: No Room for Error

Despite receiving this unexpected boost from Niger's win, the road to qualification remains tough for the Black Stars. Ghana must capitalize on this opportunity by winning their next two matches—starting with a must-win game against Angola on Friday. A victory would narrow the gap to just two points behind Sudan, keeping the Black Stars in contention as the final fixtures approach.

The stakes could not be higher for coach Kwesi Appiah and his team. The unexpected result from Niger has given Ghana a second chance, but they cannot afford any more slip-ups.

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High Stakes for the Black Stars Against Angola

With Ghana's AFCON qualification hopes hanging by a thread, the pressure is mounting on the Black Stars to deliver. The team's inconsistent form in recent matches has raised concerns, but fans are hopeful that the early "gift" from Niger's victory will serve as a wake-up call.

The clash against Angola is now a do-or-die affair. Ghana needs a strong, decisive performance to keep their qualification chances alive and restore the confidence of their supporters. A win would not only boost their standing in the group but also build momentum ahead of their final showdown against Niger.