2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana heads into final Group F game against Niger with nothing to play for

The Black Stars of Ghana will approach their final Group F match against Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with no hopes of progressing.

Following a 1-1 draw against Angola on Friday night, Ghana has officially been eliminated from the race to qualify for the continental tournament next month.

Ghana went into Friday’s game in Luanda, needing a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive. Coach Otto Addo’s side started brightly and managed to control the early proceedings against the Angolan hosts.

In the 19th minute, Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew opened the scoring with a spectacular strike. Ayew’s direct free-kick from long range sailed past the Angolan goalkeeper, giving Ghana an early 1-0 lead and raising the team’s hopes.

The tide almost turned shortly after Ayew’s goal when Ghana defender Gideon Mensah mistimed a tackle, resulting in a penalty for Angola in the 27th minute. Experienced striker M’bala Nzola stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Ghana’s goalkeeper, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, made a stunning save to deny the equalizer.

Despite holding a narrow lead going into halftime, Ghana could not maintain their advantage. Angola came out strong in the second half and found an equalizer in the 61st minute. Zini connected with a powerful header from close range, leveling the score and canceling out Ayew’s first-half stunner.

Both teams created several scoring chances in the final minutes of the game, but neither side managed to find the winning goal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that officially knocked Ghana out of the running for a place in the 2025 AFCON.

This marks the first time in 20 years that the Black Stars will not participate in the tournament, a significant setback for the team and its supporters.

With qualification hopes dashed, Ghana’s final Group F match against Niger on Monday, November 18, at the Accra Sports Stadium now holds no implications for the Black Stars.

The team will be playing purely for pride as they conclude what has been a disappointing campaign in the AFCON qualifiers.

The upcoming match against Niger provides an opportunity for the team to regroup and reflect, but the focus now shifts to rebuilding for future competitions after a disappointing end to the AFCON qualifiers.