Samartex left-back Isaac Afful’s much-awaited debut for the Black Stars ended in frustration as Ghana suffered a 2-1 loss to Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Monday.

Afful, 25, was handed a starting role at left wing-back but struggled to make an impact throughout the match. Several uncharacteristic mistakes, including losing possession of the ball multiple times, seemed to highlight the nerves of a player making his first senior appearance for the national team. His performance led to a halftime substitution as coach Otto Addo looked to make changes after a difficult first half.

Although his debut was challenging, there is plenty of hope for Afful’s future with the Black Stars. His potential has not gone unnoticed, and with more international exposure, it’s expected that he will learn and improve from this experience. Despite the setback, Afful’s journey in the national team is just beginning.

The defeat left Ghana bottom of Group F, a disappointing result in their AFCON qualifying campaign. However, for debutants like Afful, it was a valuable learning experience, one that will hopefully serve as a foundation for future growth with the Black Stars.