For the first time in two decades, the Black Stars of Ghana find themselves absent from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a reality that has left the nation reeling. The four-time African champions failed to qualify for the 2025 tournament after finishing at the bottom of Group F with only three points. Their campaign ended with three draws and three defeats across six games, marking one of the darkest chapters in Ghanaian football history.

Henry Asante Twum, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has expressed deep regret over the failure. In a candid interview with JoySports, he acknowledged the immense burden of responsibility this failure places on the current leadership.

“It’s not been easy, especially when history will not forgive you,” Asante Twum admitted. “In 2004, when we didn’t qualify for AFCON, it became a reference point in our history. Now, 20 years later, we’ve failed again, and it’s during a time when some of us are at the helm of affairs. This will always hang around our necks—it’s a difficult thing to carry.”

Despite the disappointment, Asante Twum called for resilience, urging Ghanaians to focus on the future. “We are a powerful football nation. While these are difficult times, we must pick the positives and move forward,” he emphasized.

The road to redemption begins in March 2025, when Ghana resumes its campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their next challenges include matches against Chad and Madagascar, opportunities to restore the nation’s footballing pride.