Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came to a crushing end with a 2-1 defeat to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium. The loss marked the conclusion of a disappointing qualifying campaign for the Black Stars, who finished bottom of Group F with no wins and just three goals from six matches. While there were brief moments of individual brilliance, the team’s ongoing struggles with finishing and defense were once again laid bare. Here are five key takeaways from the match:

1. Kudus’ Missed Penalty Summarizes Ghana’s Frustrations

Mohammed Kudus had the chance to salvage a draw for Ghana deep into added time when he was awarded a penalty after being fouled in the box. However, his spot kick was saved by Niger’s goalkeeper, sealing Ghana’s 2-1 defeat. The miss symbolized the Black Stars’ inability to close out matches and finish chances, a problem that has plagued them throughout the qualifiers. Kudus’ failure to convert the penalty confirmed Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, leaving fans frustrated and questioning the team’s preparedness for future challenges.

2. Debutants Show Promise Despite Tough Loss

While the loss was painful, there were some bright spots for Ghana, particularly the performances of debutants. Jerry Afriyie, Nathaniel Adjei, Terry Yegbe, Isaac Afful, and Kamaradini Mamudu all earned their first starts for the Black Stars. Afriyie scored a debut goal to briefly restore hope, and Yegbe, although challenged by the intensity of the match, showed composure. Though the overall performance fell short, the young players offered a glimpse of the future, with Ghana looking to build a team around this promising talent.

3. Afriyie’s Debut Goal Offers Hope for the Future

The standout moment of the game came when 17-year-old Jerry Afriyie marked his debut with a well-taken equalizer. Coming on as a substitute, Afriyie showed remarkable composure under pressure and demonstrated his potential with a clinical finish. His goal was a rare highlight in an otherwise disappointing campaign and suggests that the Black Stars have a promising talent to develop in the years to come.

4. Defensive Frailties Prove Costly Once Again

Ghana’s defensive problems resurfaced in the dying moments of the match. After Afriyie’s equalizer, the Black Stars failed to hold onto the draw, as Niger scored the winner through a header from Oumar Sako. Ghana’s inability to organize defensively, particularly in set-piece situations, has been a recurring theme throughout the qualifiers. Despite having quality defenders, poor concentration and a lack of defensive solidity continue to cost the team dearly.

5. Otto Addo’s Future as Coach in Jeopardy

Coach Otto Addo is under increasing pressure following Ghana’s poor performance in the AFCON qualifiers. The Black Stars finished at the bottom of their group with just three points, and Addo’s inability to secure a single win has raised serious questions about his future. The Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council is scheduled to meet to discuss the team’s performance and decide whether to retain Addo as head coach or make a change ahead of future competitions.