Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei’s much-anticipated debut for the Black Stars was marred by injury, as his first appearance ended in heartbreak during Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Adjei, 22, started in defense at the Accra Sports Stadium, eager to make his mark for Ghana. However, just 40 minutes into the match, the young defender was forced off with what appeared to be an ankle injury. His early substitution compounded an already difficult night for the Black Stars, who were struggling in a qualifier that had already seen them fail to register a single win, finishing bottom of Group F.

The game had its moments of hope for Ghana, with 17-year-old Jerry Afriyie scoring on his debut to briefly equalize the match. Yet, Niger regained the lead when Oumar Sako netted a late header, sealing the victory. Ghana’s chances of salvaging a point were dashed when Mohammed Kudus missed a penalty in the dying moments of the game.

Adjei’s injury is a bitter blow not only for Ghana but also for his club, Lorient, who will be closely monitoring his recovery. Despite a challenging debut, Adjei remains hopeful of overcoming this setback and cementing his place in the national team for future competitions.