Black Stars remain winless after loss to Niger

Ghana’s Black Stars continue to struggle in their quest for qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as they remain winless after four rounds of matches.

Competing in Group F alongside Angola, Sudan, and Niger, Ghana’s campaign has been marred by inconsistent performances, leaving their hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco hanging in the balance.

In yesterday’s highly anticipated clash, the Black Stars faced off against Sudan, a match that many viewed as a crucial opportunity for Ghana to reignite her AFCON qualification hopes. After a tightly contested goalless first half, both teams emerged from the break looking to seize control of the game.

Ghana’s attack looked promising early in the second half, with Inaki Williams finding the back of the net. However, the Athletic Bilbao striker’s goal was disallowed for offside, a decision that seemed to deflate the momentum the Black Stars were building.

Despite Ghana’s efforts to press forward, it was Sudan who found the breakthrough in the 62nd minute, thanks to Ahmed Al-Tash, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to put his side ahead.

Just three minutes later, Ghana’s defensive woes were further exposed when Sudan’s Mohammed Abdel Raman doubled the lead with a well-placed strike, leaving the Black Stars with a mountain to climb.

Ghana tried to rally back, but the Sudanese defense held firm, and by the final whistle, the 2-0 scoreline was enough to hand Ghana their second defeat of the qualifiers.

Ghana’s Qualification in Jeopardy

The loss to Sudan means the Black Stars have now played four matches in the qualifiers without recording a single win. With two draws and two defeats, Ghana’s chances of securing a spot at the 2025 AFCON are increasingly uncertain.

Their current form has left fans frustrated, with the team struggling to find cohesion and consistency in both attack and defense.

As it stands, Ghana sits in third place in Group F, trailing behind Angola and Sudan. Angola currently leads the group, while Sudan’s victory over Ghana propelled them to second place.

Head coach Otto Addo has experimented with different lineups and formations, but the results have yet to materialise. His tactical choices have been questioned, with many fans and pundits calling for a more aggressive approach, particularly in attack, where Ghana has failed to be clinical.

Can Ghana Bounce Back

With two games remaining in the group stage, the Black Stars will need to secure victories in their upcoming matches to stand any chance of advancing.

However, with Angola and Sudan both in strong positions, Ghana’s fate may not be entirely in their hands, as they will also rely on other results going their way.

The team’s next fixture is now a must-win, and the pressure on Otto Addo and his players is immense.

Credit: ghanasoccernet.com

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