Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has reflected on his team’s impressive 2-1 victory over Ghana in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, attributing the success to his side’s tactical approach of exploiting the Black Stars’ defensive vulnerabilities. Zaki shared his thoughts in a post-match interview, emphasizing how his team capitalized on Ghana’s tendency to concede goals, despite their attacking prowess.

“We knew Ghana could score, but they had shown weaknesses in defense, and we planned to take advantage of that,” Zaki explained. “After reviewing their recent performances, especially from the last AFCON, we believed we could do it. Our previous match against Sudan had also boosted our confidence.”

The victory over Ghana, which secured Niger third place in Group F with 7 points, was a remarkable achievement, especially considering the challenges Zaki’s team faced. Many of his players are amateurs, and the team’s travel arrangements posed additional difficulties. “Most of my players are amateurs, and many of them had to travel long distances, sometimes arriving just a day before the match after eighteen hours of travel,” Zaki revealed. He also highlighted the strain of long flights, even for regional travel, which affected the team’s preparation.

Despite the win, Niger’s qualification hopes were dashed, as they fell short of securing a place in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nonetheless, the result stands as a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline.