By Nana Kwame Bediako
Otto Addo has announced that Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars for the final matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
This decision comes after a series of challenging games for the Ghanaian national team, including a disappointing performance against Sudan. Previously, Mohammed Kudus was appointed as the skipper in the absence of Thomas Partey, but the team struggled, resulting in a draw and a defeat in their encounters with Sudan.
The Black Stars have faced a tumultuous journey in their qualifying campaign. Despite playing on home turf at the Accra Sports Stadium, Ghana was unable to secure a victory, settling for a draw in the first leg against Sudan.
The return leg proved even more challenging, as Kwesi Appiah’s side clinched a 2-0 victory in Libya, further complicating Ghana’s path to qualification. Otto Addo’s decision to initially overlook Jordan Ayew in favor of the West Ham attacker drew significant criticism, adding pressure on the head coach to make strategic adjustments.
Ghana’s performance in the qualifiers has been less than stellar, with the team yet to secure a win after four matches. A narrow 1-0 loss at the Baba Yara Stadium and a 1-1 draw against Niger in Berkane have left the Black Stars in a precarious position.
Currently sitting third in Group F with only two points, Ghana trails behind Palancas Negras and Sudan, making the upcoming matches against Angola and Niger crucial for their chances of advancing to the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
The upcoming fixtures present a formidable challenge for the Black Stars, who must defy the odds to secure their place in the AFCON tournament. The team will first travel to Luanda to face Angola on November 15, a match that will test their resilience and determination. Following this, Ghana will return to the Accra Sports Stadium to host Niger Republic on November 18, where they will aim to leverage home advantage to boost their standing in the group.
