By Nana Kwame Bediako
Ghana’s quest for a promising start in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers remains unfulfilled as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Niger at Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco.
The match, anticipated by fans as a potential comeback following their initial defeat to Angola, saw both teams sharing the spoils. This leaves Ghana with significant work ahead in their upcoming double header in October against Sudan, led by former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah.
The game began with Ghana displaying early dominance, and their efforts were rewarded just before halftime. In the 44th minute, Alidu Seidu unleashed a stunning strike to give Ghana the lead, igniting hope among the fans and the team. The precision and power of Seidu’s goal were a testament to his skill and determination, momentarily lifting the spirits of a team under pressure.
However, the second half saw Niger regroup with renewed vigor. As the game progressed, Niger’s persistence paid off in the 81st minute when Oumar Sako equalized, much to the dismay of the Ghanaian contingent. Sako’s goal highlighted the vulnerabilities in Ghana’s defence.
The draw leaves Ghana in a precarious position as they prepare to face Sudan, who are under the guidance of former Ghanaian coach Kwesi Appiah. The narrative of Appiah leading a rival team adds an intriguing twist to the upcoming fixtures. Ghana’s performance in these games will be pivotal in determining their path in the qualifiers, making the double-header against Sudan a must-watch for football enthusiasts.
Ghana’s journey in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers has been rocky, but the resilience and potential displayed in moments like Seidu’s goal offer a glimmer of hope. The team’s ability to bounce back and secure crucial points in the forthcoming matches will be essential. Ghanaians will be keenly observing how Ghana navigates this challenging phase, with the stakes higher than ever.
