by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
With eyes set on the 2024 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament, Ghana’s Black Galaxies, led by head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, are showing remarkable commitment as they prepare for their two-legged qualifier against Nigeria. Drawn to face their West African rivals, the Black Galaxies will host the first leg in Ghana between December 20-22, 2024, followed by the return leg in Nigeria from December 27-29, 2024. The aggregate winner will secure a spot in the CHAN tournament, to be held in East Africa and co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Coach Dramani, impressed by the dedication of his players, spoke highly of the team’s attitude and discipline throughout the preparation phase. “Their commitment has been outstanding,” he remarked. “The players have shown an unwavering willpower and discipline, arriving promptly to training sessions each week, despite their club commitments.”
The stakes are high as the Black Galaxies aim to repeat their previous success over Nigeria. In their last CHAN qualifier encounter, Ghana overcame Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate draw, securing a place in the 2023 tournament held in Algeria.
As they edge closer to the first leg, the Black Galaxies are focused, determined, and united in their goal of achieving CHAN qualification once again.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana’s Black Stars are ready to face Angola in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, with their first training session in Luanda scheduled for tonight. With the game just days away, the team will take the pitch at Estadio 11 de Novembro, located a mere six-minute drive from their hotel.
Henry Asante Twum, the Ghana Football Association’s Communications Director, shared details on the team’s preparation, highlighting that tonight’s session is timed to match the 8 p.m. kickoff on Friday in Angola (7 p.m. in Ghana). This approach, he noted, will help the players adjust to the stadium’s atmosphere and conditions under game-time lighting and temperature.
“The match is 8 pm here in Angola so it will 7 pm in Ghana tomorrow. In the schedule, the away team should train at the kick-off time. So this evening 8 pm here which is 7 pm in Ghana we will go to the 11th November Stadium that it is in Luanda,” Twum told Peace FM.
Following three intense training sessions in Accra, the Black Stars arrived in Luanda on Wednesday, determined to secure victory. “Luckily for us, our hotel and the venue is not that far—it’s about a six-minute drive. We’ll go and complete the mandatory official training, then tomorrow we play the game,” Twum added.
With all eyes on the team, Ghana fans are hopeful for a strong performance that will edge them closer to AFCON 2025 qualification.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Soccer
In a thrilling twist to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Niger’s emphatic 4-0 win over Sudan has breathed new life into the qualification hopes of the Black Stars. Ghana, who has struggled in recent games, now finds itself with a glimmer of hope, though their journey remains fraught with challenges.
With no wins in four matches, Ghana is teetering on the edge of elimination, facing the daunting prospect of missing out on AFCON for the first time since 2004. To qualify, they must now win their remaining matches against Angola and Niger, while hoping that Sudan falters in their final game.
The decisive victory by Niger in Togo, led by a brace from forward Daniel Sosah—who notably has Ghanaian heritage—alongside goals from Ousseini Badamassi and Youssef Oumarou, has thrown the group standings wide open. Sudan, Niger, and Ghana all find themselves vying for the group’s coveted second qualifying spot behind Angola, who have already secured their place.
Sudan, however, still holds an advantage. A draw in their upcoming clash with Angola will guarantee their place in the tournament, leaving Ghana’s fate in the hands of both their own performance and Angola’s. Meanwhile, Niger must defeat Ghana in their final game to remain in contention and also hope for a Sudan loss.
Ghana’s path forward is clear yet steep: they must defeat Angola on Friday, triumph over Niger, and rely on Angola to beat Sudan. Despite the seemingly long odds, Black Stars coach Otto Addo remains resolute, leading his players in a last-ditch battle for qualification.
As the group stands on a knife-edge, Ghanaians hold their breath, hoping for a series of results that could keep their AFCON dreams alive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana’s Black Stars have hit a new low in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, dropping to the bottom of Group F after a dramatic 4-0 defeat of Sudan by Niger on Thursday, November 14. This surprise outcome has reshuffled the group standings and further complicated Ghana’s path to qualification.
The situation took a sharp turn after Niger’s stellar performance against Sudan, a team that had previously defeated Ghana 2-0 in October. With only a draw needed to qualify, Sudan appeared unprepared for Niger’s relentless attack. Daniel Sosah was the standout for Niger, scoring twice, while Youssef Oumarou and Ousseini Badamassi also found the net, sealing a decisive win and lifting Niger above Ghana in the standings.
Now occupying the bottom spot in Group F, the Black Stars are in an uncharacteristically tough position, with their AFCON qualification chances hanging by a thread. Yet, there remains a slim hope for the team. Ghana must win both of their remaining games against Angola and Niger to keep their chances alive. They will also be watching closely as Sudan faces Angola in their next fixture—a match that could potentially leave room for Ghana to make a comeback if Sudan is defeated.
While the odds are stacked against them, the Black Stars are determined to fight for their AFCON dreams and restore their standing in Group F.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 14, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana’s Black Stars are heading into a must-win showdown against Angola on Friday, with their path to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification still possible but challenging. Sudan’s surprising 4-0 loss to Niger on Thursday has reopened Ghana’s qualifying chances, but they must capitalize on this opportunity by winning their remaining matches.
The Black Stars find themselves under considerable pressure, coming off a winless streak spanning their last four matches. They now face a formidable Angolan team that has already secured their spot in the AFCON, adding to the stakes for Ghana’s qualification hopes.
Victory over Angola would keep Ghana in contention, but they would still need another win in their final game against Niger. Their fate, however, isn’t solely in their hands—they must also rely on Angola to defeat Sudan, who currently hold the second qualifying position and need just a single point to advance.
Niger’s recent dominant display over Sudan, led by standout performances from Daniel Sosah, Ousseini Badamassi, and Youssef Oumarou, has intensified the race for the group’s final qualifying slot. With all four teams—Angola, Sudan, Niger, and Ghana—fighting for that last spot, the Black Stars will need both skill and luck to secure their place.
If Ghana fails to qualify, it would be their first absence from AFCON since 2004, raising the stakes even higher in Friday’s critical match against Angola.
