Niger’s head coach, Badou Zaki, has opened up about the motivation behind his side’s impressive 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. According to Zaki, the team’s confidence was largely built on their 4-0 thrashing of Sudan just days before, which gave them the belief that they could overcome Ghana, despite the tough odds.

In an insightful post-match interview, Zaki revealed that his players were well aware of Ghana’s attacking capabilities but also noticed their vulnerability at the back. He emphasized that the victory over Sudan provided the necessary psychological boost to take on the Ghanaian team with renewed determination.

“From the last AFCON, we knew that the Ghanaian team can score, but they conceded goals. And our last match against Sudan gave us the confidence that we could do it,” Zaki explained.

Despite the triumph over Ghana, Coach Zaki also highlighted the challenges faced by his squad, many of whom are amateurs, and the logistical difficulties that added strain to their preparations. Zaki pointed out that many of the players, especially those based outside the country, had to endure long travel times, often arriving just a day before the match.

“Most of my players are amateurs in Niger. For those outside, they travelled eighteen hours before games and often arrived a day before the match,” he added.

Furthermore, Zaki expressed frustration with the team’s travel arrangements, explaining that flights were often delayed or took longer than expected, which added to the physical and mental strain on the players.

Despite finishing third in Group F with 7 points, Niger’s victory over Ghana wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nevertheless, the win over a team like Ghana served as a major morale booster for the Niger squad, who, against the odds, proved their resilience and determination.