by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Accra, Ghana – Niger’s national football team, led by coach Badou Zaki, achieved a memorable 2-1 victory over the Black Stars of Ghana at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday in their final game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Despite the win, Niger fell short of securing a ticket to Morocco 2025, finishing third in Group F with seven points. The result, however, marked a historic moment for Zaki and his team of mostly amateur players, whose determination and resilience paid off on the pitch.
A Plan Well Executed
Speaking after the game, Coach Zaki credited his team’s success to their tactical preparation and confidence in Ghana’s recent vulnerabilities.
“We knew Ghana could score but also conceded a lot. From our last AFCON experience and our 4-0 win over Sudan, we believed beating Ghana was possible,” he said.
Zaki highlighted the dedication of his players, many of whom are amateurs who faced arduous travel challenges to play the match.
“Some of my players traveled for up to eighteen hours, arriving just a day before the game. This win is a testament to their hard work and spirit,” Zaki remarked.
Ghana’s Shocking Exit
For Ghana, the loss marked the end of a dismal campaign, finishing bottom of the group with just three points from six matches. This result means the Black Stars will miss the AFCON tournament for the first time in 21 years, a devastating blow for a nation with a rich footballing history.
Although Niger’s journey ends here, their stunning victory over Ghana will be remembered as a moment of pride for the Mena and a sign of the potential in their ranks.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) faces a defining moment as it prepares to decide the future of head coach Otto Addo following Ghana’s dismal performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
For a nation with rich footballing heritage, finishing bottom of Group F with just three points from six matches was unthinkable. The campaign began poorly and only worsened, with a 1-0 loss to Angola, a 1-1 draw against Niger, and two consecutive defeats to Sudan. Angola soared at the top of the group with 14 points, while Sudan and Niger secured second and third places with eight and seven points, respectively.
The breaking point came when Niger clinched a 2-1 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium, leaving fans outraged and calling for Addo’s resignation. Despite the backlash, Addo refused to step down.
“I’m not the person who can resign,” Addo declared in a defiant tone during a post-match press conference. “If I had that mindset, I wouldn’t have made it as a player or coach. People shouting at me to resign cannot sway me.”
As pressure mounts from both fans and football stakeholders, all eyes are on the GFA’s meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The decision could mark the beginning of a new era—or further entrench a tumultuous chapter in Ghanaian football.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Sudan, a country ravaged by a brutal civil war, has achieved an extraordinary feat by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite having no domestic football for years, playing all their matches away from home, and facing insurmountable challenges, Sudan’s players and staff refused to let their circumstances define them. Their qualification is a testament to resilience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in their ability to compete on the continental stage.
Meanwhile, in Ghana, the narrative is far less inspiring. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President has drawn criticism for deflecting blame for the Black Stars’ struggles. Instead of addressing the team’s shortcomings and taking responsibility, he cited the Anas exposé, an investigative report that exposed corruption within Ghana football nearly six years ago. Many have questioned why this excuse continues to be a scapegoat for the country’s football woes, rather than a catalyst for meaningful reform.
The stark contrast between Sudan’s grit and Ghana’s lack of accountability highlights a deeper issue within the leadership of Ghanaian football. When will Ghana’s football authorities move past excuses and prioritize transparency, accountability, and genuine development for the sport?
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Former Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has opened up about his time at the helm of Ghana’s senior national team, shedding light on the challenges he faced, including alleged interference from officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
In a candid revelation, Akonnor explained that his ability to independently select players for matches was often undermined by external pressures. According to him, certain GFA officials sought to influence his squad choices, a situation he described as frustrating and counterproductive to the team’s success.
“Player selection should be the sole responsibility of the coach,” Akonnor stated. “However, during my time, there were instances where decisions were influenced by others within the system. This kind of interference made my job as coach extremely difficult.”
Akonnor’s tenure as Black Stars coach, which began in January 2020, came to an abrupt end in September 2021 after a series of inconsistent results in World Cup qualifiers. Despite these challenges, Akonnor maintains that his work was often overshadowed by off-field issues, including a lack of autonomy in decision-making.
The former Ghana captain’s remarks have reignited discussions about the GFA’s role in team management and the broader challenges facing national team coaches in Africa. Critics argue that undue influence from football associations not only undermines the authority of coaches but also hampers the growth of the team.
Akonnor’s revelations highlight the need for structural reforms within the GFA to ensure that coaches can work without interference, paving the way for improved performance on the international stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
When Ghana turned its back on Kwesi Appiah, few would have imagined the story that would unfold. Sacked by his own country and forced to relinquish roles at the Ghana FA over alleged conflicts of interest, Appiah’s journey took an unexpected twist when he was appointed head coach of Sudan.
Sudan faced monumental challenges: a team drawn largely from domestic clubs Al Hilal and Al Merriekh (comprising 85% of the squad), and no home games during the qualifiers due to political unrest. Against all odds, Appiah not only rebuilt the team but led them to excel in Group E of the AFCON qualifiers—a group that included none other than Ghana.
In two matches against his homeland, Appiah masterminded a stunning upset, taking four points and steering Sudan to a second-place finish in the group. This secured Sudan’s spot in the AFCON for the first time since 2021.
Meanwhile, Ghana, the nation that deemed him surplus to requirements, languished at the bottom of the same group—a bitter irony.
Kwesi Appiah’s achievement is a testament to resilience and determination. Against the odds, he not only revived Sudanese football but also proved that rejection can be the beginning of a remarkable comeback.
