Ghana Black Stars’ 2025 AFCON dream in shambles after defeat to Sudan in Libya

Ghana’s hopes of securing a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) took a devastating blow today as the Black Stars suffered a shock defeat to Sudan in a high-stakes qualifier held in Tripoli, Libya. The 2-1 loss leaves Ghana’s qualification chances hanging by a thread, raising concerns among fans and critics alike over the team’s future.

Despite entering the match as favorites, the Black Stars struggled to assert dominance over Sudan, who came into the game with determination to keep their own qualification hopes alive. The match started off cautiously, with both sides showing restraint, but Sudan found their breakthrough in the 62nd minutes through a well-placed shot from striker Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud Mohamed.

Mohamed Abdelrahman Yuosif Yaguob scored with a more aggressive approach after 3mins from their first goal. Their efforts finally paid off in the 65th minute when Yaguob scored through a defensive error by Ghana’s backline which settled the scores for 2-0.

The defeat has sent shockwaves through Ghanaian football, as the Black Stars have been under increasing scrutiny following a string of unconvincing performances in recent months. The team’s defensive frailties were once again exposed, with the failure to deal with set-pieces and lapses in concentration costing them dearly.

Ghana head coach Otto Addo, who took over the national team after departure of Chris Houghton, faces mounting pressure after this setback. While there were high hopes for the Black Stars to secure a place in the 2025 AFCON, this defeat leaves them with a challenging path ahead, requiring victories in their remaining qualifiers to stay in the race.

In his post-match comments, Addo expressed disappointment but remained hopeful: “This was not the result we wanted, but we still have a chance to make it to AFCON. We must regroup and address our mistakes as we prepare for the upcoming matches.”

For Sudan, the win marks a significant achievement, boosting their chances of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON. Sudan’s team played with resilience and discipline, particularly in the latter stages of the match, frustrating Ghana’s attempts to find a winner. Sudan’s head coach, Kwasi Appiah, praised his team’s performance, noting their ability to capitalize on Ghana’s weaknesses.

The match was played in Libya, which is currently serving as a neutral venue for Sudan due to political instability in the country. Despite the challenges of playing away from home, Sudan appeared more composed and adapted well to the conditions, while Ghana seemed to struggle to find rhythm in the unfamiliar setting.

With this result, Ghana now faces a precarious situation in the AFCON qualifiers. The Black Stars are still in contention but will need to secure strong results in their remaining games to avoid missing out on Africa’s most prestigious football tournament. With just a few matches left, every point will be crucial in their quest for qualification.

Ghana’s next fixture will be a must-win encounter, and failure to secure maximum points could spell disaster for a team with a proud AFCON history, having won the tournament four times, though their last triumph came in 1982.

The defeat has sparked disappointment and frustration among Ghanaian fans, many of whom took to social media to voice their concerns about the team’s performance. Pundits have also questioned the team’s tactical approach and lack of cohesion on the pitch, calling for urgent changes before it’s too late.

Renowned sports journalist Saddick Adams said, “This was a crucial game, and Ghana simply did not show up. The team lacks the cutting edge in attack, and defensively, we’re too vulnerable. If changes are not made quickly, we could be staring at a major failure.”

As Ghana’s 2025 AFCON qualification hopes hang in the balance, the Black Stars will need to bounce back with renewed focus and determination. The pressure on the players and coaching staff is mounting, with the nation eagerly awaiting the team’s response in their upcoming fixtures. For now, however, Ghana’s dream of AFCON glory is in jeopardy following this painful defeat at the hands of Sudan.

AMN | Anochie Report | Tripoli.