AFCON 2025Q: Ghana Black stars fail to beat Sudan

Ghana’s hopes of turning their fortunes around in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers suffered a major setback as they were held to a goalless draw by a determined Sudan team at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. The Black Stars, despite dominating much of the match, were unable to find the breakthrough, leaving their chances of qualification hanging in the balance.

The game started brightly for Ghana, with the home side looking dangerous from the first whistle. In the 4th minute, Alexander Djiku nearly gave the Black Stars an early lead when his powerful header from a Mohammed Kudus corner struck the crossbar. It was a warning sign of Ghana’s attacking intent.

As the first half progressed, the Black Stars continued to apply pressure on Sudan’s defense. Antoine Semenyo had a golden opportunity in the 17th minute, but his well-placed shot was brilliantly saved by Sudan’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Mustafa Ahmed, who quickly became the hero for his team.

Despite Ghana’s dominance, Sudan gradually found their rhythm and began to frustrate the Black Stars. Sudan’s organized defense made it difficult for Ghana to create clear chances, and the visitors grew in confidence as the match wore on.

Kudus was Ghana’s main creative force throughout the game, constantly trying to unlock Sudan’s defense. Early in the second half, he unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, but Mustafa once again came to Sudan’s rescue, making an outstanding save to keep the score level.

As the match entered its final stages, Ghana pushed harder for a breakthrough, but Sudan’s defense held firm. The Black Stars’ frustrations were evident as their attacks became less effective, and they struggled to find the cutting edge needed to break the deadlock.

In the 88th minute, Kudus had a glorious chance to win the match for Ghana. He found himself in an excellent position inside the box, but Mustafa produced another brilliant save, denying Kudus and ensuring Sudan walked away with a crucial point.

The result leaves Ghana in a precarious position in their AFCON qualifying campaign, with just two points from three games. Their path to qualification has become significantly more difficult, and they will now face an uphill battle in their remaining matches.

The next challenge for Ghana comes on October 15, 2024, when they face Sudan in a return fixture at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya. With their qualification hopes on the line, the Black Stars will need to secure a win to keep their chances alive.

Coach Otto Addo, who cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, will be under pressure to find solutions to his team’s attacking struggles. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, the Black Stars have struggled to convert their opportunities into goals.

Sudan, on the other hand, will be delighted with their performance. They executed their game plan perfectly, frustrating Ghana’s attack and earning a valuable point away from home. Mustafa’s heroics in goal were crucial, as he made several key saves to keep his team in the game.

For Ghana, the inability to score at home is a worrying sign. The Black Stars have a proud footballing history, and the fans will expect a much-improved performance in the return fixture. Anything less than a win could spell disaster for their AFCON qualification hopes.

Otto Addo will likely make changes ahead of the crucial match in Libya. While the defense, led by Djiku and Joseph Aidoo, has been solid, the attack will need to be more clinical if Ghana is to avoid an early exit from the tournament.

The upcoming fixture in Libya is now a must-win for the Black Stars. With their qualification hopes hanging by a thread, the pressure is on the players to deliver. A loss or draw could see Ghana miss out on the AFCON for the first time in recent memory.

As the clock ticks down to October 15, the focus will be on how Ghana can solve their attacking problems. The likes of Kudus and Semenyo have shown flashes of brilliance, but they will need to be more decisive in front of goal.

The Black Stars will also need to find a way to break down Sudan’s stubborn defense. Sudan’s ability to frustrate Ghana in the first leg showed that they are a tough team to beat, and the return match will be no different.

Source: Dailymailgh.com