Ghana faces Niger at Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, concluding their disappointing 2025 AFCON qualifying journey. Following a 1-1 draw against Angola, Ghana remains winless in the campaign, while Niger seeks to build on a recent 4-0 victory over Sudan, aiming for an upset to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Ghana’s disappointing campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers concludes as they host Niger on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium. Following a recent setback against Angola, where they managed only a 1-1 draw, Ghana finds itself at the bottom of Group F, failing to secure any victories across five matches. This will mark the first time since 2004 that the Black Stars miss the tournament, a significant disappointment for a team with a rich history in African football. In stark contrast, Niger has revived its hopes of reaching the tournament with a resounding 4-0 victory over Sudan, although they still need a win against Ghana coupled with favorable results in other matches to qualify. In their recent match against Angola, Jordan Ayew initially set the tone for Ghana with a spectacular long-range free-kick. Unfortunately, a late equalizer from Angola’s Zini dashed Ghana’s hopes of a much-needed win. The team’s struggle in the qualifiers has been notable, particularly in the offensive department, with only two goals scored thus far. Conversely, following their dominant win against Sudan, Niger appears reinvigorated, entering the match against Ghana with hopes of a qualification upset despite historically struggling against them. Niger’s previous matches have yielded a disheartening record of just one draw and three losses, but the recent win gives them a potential boost heading into this crucial encounter. In terms of team news, Ghana is likely to miss the services of young forward Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who suffered an injury against Angola, alongside other players who may not feature due to various fitness issues. Niger, on the other hand, may keep a consistent lineup following their successful performance against Sudan, with standout players expected to feature prominently.
The upcoming match between Ghana and Niger represents a crucial moment in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Ghana has been historically strong in this competition but finds itself at a low point, securing no wins so far in the qualifiers. Their performance in recent matches has highlighted significant attacking woes, leading to disappointment among fans and analysts alike. Niger, though struggling earlier in the campaign, has shown resilience with a strong recent performance, offering them a slim chance for qualification that hinges on their performance against Ghana.
In summary, Ghana aims to conclude their qualifying campaign positively despite their disappointing results, while Niger looks to capitalize on their recent success to inflict further misery on the Black Stars. The match poses significant implications, especially for Niger, who still harbors hopes for qualification with a win. Nevertheless, Ghana’s historical edge in recent encounters makes them the likely favorites in this clash.
Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk