Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
The Black Stars of Ghana endured a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Niger in their final 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on November 18 at the Accra Sports Stadium. The loss capped a disappointing campaign, leaving Ghana at the bottom of Group F and out of the tournament for the first time in 21 years.
Niger took an early lead in the 22nd minute through Ousseini Badamassi, who capitalized on Ghana’s defensive lapses to put his team ahead. The visitors dominated much of the first half, with the Black Stars struggling to break through despite decent chances from Ernest Nuamah and others.
Ghana found hope in the second half when young forward Jerry Afriyie netted the equalizer in the 67th minute, igniting the home crowd. However, defensive frailties resurfaced in the dying moments of the game. In the 92nd minute, Niger’s Oumar Sako delivered the decisive blow, heading in a free kick to restore his team’s lead.
The drama intensified as Mohammed Kudus, one of Ghana’s star players, missed a critical penalty that could have rescued a point for the Black Stars. His miss sealed the team’s fate, turning an already frustrating match into a devastating loss.
After six matches in the qualifiers, Ghana’s record stood at three draws and three losses, failing to secure a single win. The Black Stars managed only three points, finishing last in Group F behind Angola, Sudan, and Niger. Angola topped the group with 14 points, followed by Sudan with 8 and Niger with 7.
Angola and Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan have booked their places in the 2025 AFCON, while Ghana faces the harsh reality of missing the continental tournament for the first time since 2004. The result raises serious questions about the team’s preparation and future as they face an uphill battle to regain their status in African football.
Source: NKONKONSA.com
