Photo Credit: Ghana Football Association
Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations were dashed when a 1-1 draw against Angola pinned them to the bottom of group F.
The Black Stars flew to Luanda with a lifeline coming from Niger thumping second placed Sudan in Togo but Otto Addo’s men fluffed the chance to go on five points with a win. The four-time AFCON winners stunned the home crowd when captain Jordan Ayew swept in an 18th minute free kick but Angola, who looked more purposeful, pulled level with Zini’s second half header.
The result meant that the Black Stars will not be part of the continental football showpiece for the first time in 20 years and that left head coach Otto Addo disappointed.
“In general, we have to look at all the games we played, especially our home games,” Addo stated. "We lost to Angola where we were better. In these tournaments, you have to win your home games; very, very important."
“And if you don’t win, it is always difficult to play away and try to win because every nation is strong at home,” he added. "They [Angola] didn’t have anything to lose today, you could see. They could play freely, while we were a little bit more under pressure...they pressed us very well, held us down in our half, and it was difficult for us today. But we were missing our intensity and I think it was not good enough from our side," Addo said after the game.
The Black Stars sit bottom of Group F on two points from five matches, recording three defeats and two draws. Angola moved to 13 points and have already qualified while Sudan remain second on seven points despite their 4-0 loss to Niger. Niger stand a chance of qualifying for the AFCON if they beat Ghana in Accra and Sudan fall to Angola.
Ghana’s last game is against Niger on Monday, November 18 with the game meant for the formalities.
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