Ghana head coach Otto Addo is facing mounting criticism after the Black Stars’ 1-1 draw against Angola on Friday night sealed their fate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The result, Ghana’s third draw in the campaign, officially ended their chances of qualification.

The penultimate match, played at the 11th November Stadium in Luanda, was a must-win for Ghana to keep their slim hopes alive. However, the draw left them with just three points from five matches, rooted to the bottom of Group F.

Ghana’s struggles in the qualifiers were evident from the start, with their first draw coming in September against Niger in Morocco (1-1). This was followed by a goalless stalemate against Sudan at home in October. Alongside two defeats, the Black Stars managed just two goals throughout the campaign, a record well below the standards expected of the four-time AFCON champions.

Friday’s result meant that even a win in their final game against Niger on Monday would not be enough, especially after Nigeria’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Sudan secured the Super Eagles’ qualification. The game in Accra now holds no significance for the Black Stars.

This marks the first time in 21 years that Ghana will miss the Africa Cup of Nations, a bitter blow for the national team and its fans. Pressure is now mounting on Otto Addo and the team to regroup and address the deeper issues affecting their performances.