by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Samartex left-back Isaac Afful’s much-awaited debut for the Black Stars ended in frustration as Ghana suffered a 2-1 loss to Niger in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Monday.
Afful, 25, was handed a starting role at left wing-back but struggled to make an impact throughout the match. Several uncharacteristic mistakes, including losing possession of the ball multiple times, seemed to highlight the nerves of a player making his first senior appearance for the national team. His performance led to a halftime substitution as coach Otto Addo looked to make changes after a difficult first half.
Although his debut was challenging, there is plenty of hope for Afful’s future with the Black Stars. His potential has not gone unnoticed, and with more international exposure, it’s expected that he will learn and improve from this experience. Despite the setback, Afful’s journey in the national team is just beginning.
The defeat left Ghana bottom of Group F, a disappointing result in their AFCON qualifying campaign. However, for debutants like Afful, it was a valuable learning experience, one that will hopefully serve as a foundation for future growth with the Black Stars.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei’s much-anticipated debut for the Black Stars was marred by injury, as his first appearance ended in heartbreak during Ghana’s 2-1 defeat to Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Adjei, 22, started in defense at the Accra Sports Stadium, eager to make his mark for Ghana. However, just 40 minutes into the match, the young defender was forced off with what appeared to be an ankle injury. His early substitution compounded an already difficult night for the Black Stars, who were struggling in a qualifier that had already seen them fail to register a single win, finishing bottom of Group F.
The game had its moments of hope for Ghana, with 17-year-old Jerry Afriyie scoring on his debut to briefly equalize the match. Yet, Niger regained the lead when Oumar Sako netted a late header, sealing the victory. Ghana’s chances of salvaging a point were dashed when Mohammed Kudus missed a penalty in the dying moments of the game.
Adjei’s injury is a bitter blow not only for Ghana but also for his club, Lorient, who will be closely monitoring his recovery. Despite a challenging debut, Adjei remains hopeful of overcoming this setback and cementing his place in the national team for future competitions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian striker Ropapa Mensah has been named to Sofascore’s USL League One Team of the Season, an individual accolade that shines through in a challenging year for Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
Mensah, 27, was one of the few standout performers for the Red Wolves, despite the team finishing in 11th place in the 2024 USL League One standings. Over 18 appearances, including 14 starts, Mensah contributed a solid nine goals and two assists, showcasing his attacking ability. His performances were a bright spot in an otherwise difficult season for Chattanooga, who ended the campaign with just 18 points from 22 games, equal with last-placed CV Fuego.
Chattanooga’s struggles were highlighted in their final match, a 3-0 loss to Lexington SC, which marked a disappointing end to the season for Mensah and his teammates. However, the striker’s consistent efforts earned him a place in the league’s best XI, a recognition that could lead to potential interest from higher-tier clubs, especially with his contract set to expire on November 30, 2024.
Mensah, who joined Chattanooga in January 2023 from Sporting Kansas City II, has continued to prove his worth in the USL League One and remains a player to watch as his future unfolds.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
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.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 18, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
In a night filled with missed opportunities and defensive lapses, the Super Eagles fell to a 2-1 defeat against Rwanda in their final AFCON 2025 qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. Despite taking the lead through a moment of brilliance from Samuel Chukwueze, the team’s defensive frailties were exposed as Ange Mutsinzi and Innocent Nshuti turned the tide in favor of the Wasps.
Here’s how the players performed:
Goalkeeper and Defense
Maduka Okoye – 5.7/10
Returning to the starting lineup after two years, Okoye showed glimpses of his potential but failed to command his area during key moments. He could have done better with Rwanda’s second goal, raising doubts about his readiness to reclaim the No. 1 jersey.
William Troost-Ekong – 6/10
The experienced defender showed slight improvement compared to his performance against Benin but struggled to organize the backline. His partnership with Gabriel Osho looked shaky and uncoordinated.
Gabriel Osho – 6/10
Still adapting to the intensity of African football, Osho’s lack of awareness was evident during Rwanda’s two goals. He needs time to build better chemistry with Troost-Ekong.
Bright Osayi-Samuel – 6/10
An average performance from the Fenerbahçe fullback. He struggled defensively, allowing Rwanda to exploit his side for their second goal, and offered little going forward.
Bruno Onyemaechi – 6/10
Onyemaechi failed to link effectively with Moses Simon on the left flank, and his poor delivery in attack left much to be desired.
Midfield
Alhassan Yusuf – 6.8/10
Yusuf was a bright spot in midfield, putting up a tough fight against Rwanda’s players. However, his substitution left the midfield vulnerable, allowing Rwanda to seize control late in the game.
Raphael Onyedika – 6.7/10
The Club Brugge star worked hard in midfield but lacked creativity in the final third.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – 6.5/10
A quiet outing from the Lazio man, who struggled to make meaningful contributions despite his role as a creative outlet.
Frank Onyeka – 6.5/10
Onyeka provided a physical presence in midfield and broke up Rwanda’s play effectively. However, his poor positioning often left gaps for the opposition to exploit.
Attack
Kelechi Iheanacho – 6/10
Iheanacho failed to make an impact yet again, playing out of position on the right wing. His sluggish performance slowed down Nigeria’s attack, and he was substituted at halftime.
Moses Simon – 6.4/10
The usually electric winger had an off day, struggling to beat his markers and create chances from the left.
Victor Boniface – 6/10
Boniface’s struggles in front of goal continued, as he failed to make a meaningful impact in attack. His decision-making and finishing were poor, highlighting his growing frustration.
Samuel Chukwueze – 8/10
The standout performer for Nigeria, Chukwueze was electric after coming off the bench. His dazzling solo goal was the highlight of the night, and he injected much-needed urgency into the Super Eagles’ attack.
Conclusion
Despite already qualifying for AFCON 2025, the Super Eagles’ lackluster performance against Rwanda exposed key weaknesses. With World Cup qualifiers around the corner, coach Austin Eguavoen will need to address these issues to ensure Nigeria performs at the highest level.
