Ghana will face Niger in a crucial AFCON qualification match, aiming to recover from a disappointing campaign marked by a winless streak. Despite their struggles, Ghana hopes to capitalize on the historical advantage over Niger, who recently improved their form with a confident victory. The match’s outcome could determine both teams’ qualification prospects for the 2025 AFCON finals.
Ghana’s national football team is set to face Niger in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification match, taking place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday at 6:00 PM CAT. The Black Stars, currently struggling with a dismal record of five matches without a victory—with two losses and three draws—find themselves at the bottom of Group F with only three points from five games. This match presents an opportunity for them to redeem their disappointing campaign with a win against the Menas. In contrast, Niger recently achieved a significant boost in their qualification pursuits by defeating Sudan 4-0, ending a four-match winless streak. Positioned third in Group F, a victory over Ghana could pave the way for their qualification for the AFCON finals, contingent upon Sudan’s game against Angola on the same day. However, Ghana will be without key players, including newly appointed captain Jordan Ayew and others due to injuries. Coach Otto Addo has opted for changes in his lineup, introducing Kamaradini Mamudu, Jerry Afriyie, and Ebenezer Abban into the squad. Reflecting on the current situation, Coach Addo acknowledged the challenges his team has faced at home, stating, “In these tournaments you have to win your home games… it’s always difficult to play away and to try and win, it’s always difficult because every nation is strong at home.” On the other hand, Niger Head Coach Ezzaki Badou remarked on Ghana’s current difficulties, emphasizing the marked decrease in the team’s performance levels compared to previous years, particularly noting their vulnerabilities in defense: “They concede many goals… They conceded three goals against the Central African Republic [in the 2026 World Cup qualifier] at home which is not normal.” Historically, Ghana holds a dominant record against Niger, having won 11 out of their 15 encounters, with only two victories for Niger and two matches ending in draws. The last encounter between the teams concluded in a 1-1 stalemate during the ongoing AFCON qualification round in September.
The Ghana national football team, also known as the Black Stars, has a storied history in African football, often being one of the top contenders in various tournaments. However, their recent performances have fallen short, particularly during this AFCON qualification campaign. The team’s struggle is evident in their current position within their group, having failed to secure wins in their last five matches. Meanwhile, Niger’s recent victory has revitalized their hopes and adds pressure on Ghana to perform, shifting the dynamics of this encounter all importantly in terms of qualification chances.
The impending match between Ghana and Niger is pivotal for both teams, particularly for Ghana, as they seek to salvage their qualification campaign with a necessary win. The contrasting forms of the two teams heighten the stakes, with Niger aiming to capitalize on their recent success while Ghana endeavors to recover from a streak of poor results. As history favors Ghana in their previous encounters, the outcome of this match will be crucial not only in terms of group standings but also for the morale of the Ghanaian squad.
Original Source: supersport.com
