Ghana’s Black Stars missed a critical chance to secure their first win in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, settling for a goalless draw against Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium. Despite dominating possession and creating several scoring opportunities, Ghana’s inability to finish left them with just one point from three matches, increasing the pressure as they prepare for the return leg against Sudan, where a victory is vital for their qualification hopes.

Here are five key takeaways from the match:

1. Missed Opportunities Haunt Black Stars
Ghana controlled the game and generated numerous chances, yet players like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo squandered clear opportunities. This lack of finishing could significantly jeopardize their chances of qualifying for the AFCON.

2. Attacking Inefficiency
Although Ghana’s defense held firm against a limited Sudanese offense, the team’s failure to score raised concerns. To succeed in upcoming matches, the Black Stars must find a better balance between a solid defense and effective attacking play.

3. Captaincy Pressure on Mohammed Kudus
Making his captaincy debut, Kudus faced high expectations but delivered a performance below par. As the team’s leader, he needs to inspire and elevate his teammates, especially during crucial moments.

4. Urgency for Points in the Qualifiers
With a poor start to the qualifying campaign, Ghana must secure a win in their next match to keep their AFCON hopes alive. The team is under pressure to regroup and enhance their performance to avoid repeating past failures in tournament qualifications.

5. Ghana’s First Clean Sheet of 2024
On a positive note, the Black Stars managed to keep a clean sheet, their first of the year. Entering the game with a streak of nine matches conceding goals, including late ones, the defense impressed with its performance on Thursday.

Ghana must address their scoring challenges and exhibit greater composure on the field in their next match in Libya.