Ghana midfielder Salis Abdul Samed has spoken candidly about the Black Stars’ shock exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, admitting that the team “managed our matches poorly.”

For the first time in two decades, the four-time African champions will miss Africa’s premier football tournament after finishing bottom of Group F with three draws and three defeats. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.

Salis, now a key figure for FC Nantes in France, missed the qualifiers because of injury but closely followed Ghana’s campaign. Reflecting on the disappointment, the former RC Lens star stressed that the squad is still in transition.

> “I won’t say we were rubbish, but the team was under construction,” he said. “There were lots of young players coming in, and the team was changing all the time. The manager is now creating his group and we are feeling a bit better. Unfortunately, we managed our matches poorly.”

Despite the setback, the 26-year-old insists the Black Stars have already shifted focus to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, determined to restore pride on the global stage.