CAN 2025: Ghana in search of an unexpected feat
A decisive match against Angola
In the midst of a performance crisis, the Black Stars of Ghana are playing for their survival this Friday against Angola (7 p.m. GMT) as part of the 5th day of the CAN 2025 qualifiers. With only 2 points in 4 games , Ghana, currently 4th in Group F, is on the verge of elimination. A defeat would definitively seal their fate.
To hope for qualification, Otto Addo’s men must:
- Win their last two matches (against Angola and Niger).
- Counting on two consecutive defeats of Sudan (2nd with 7 points).
An improbable scenario that places their destiny beyond their control.
A catastrophic start to the campaign
The Black Stars compromised their chances from the start of the competition:
- 0-1 home defeat to Angola on September 5, 2024.
- 1-1 draw against Niger a few days later.
- A draw (0-0) and a defeat (0-2) in the double confrontations against Sudan in October.
This winless record could deprive Ghana of its first CAN since 2004 , an earthquake for this great nation of African football.
A team losing momentum
Despite its 4 continental titles (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982), Ghana has experienced a significant erosion in its performances:
- Between 2008 and 2017, they reached four semi-finals and played two finals (2010, 2015).
- Since then, the Black Stars have struggled: elimination in the 1/8th finals in 2019, then two consecutive eliminations in the first round (2021, 2023).
The golden generation of brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew seems to have reached its limits. New leaders, such as Inaki Williams (1 goal in 17 caps), are struggling to live up to expectations.
Major absences for decisive matches
The situation is complicated by a long list of withdrawals from the final matches. Among the notable absentees:
- Antoine Semenyo , Inaki Williams , Joseph Painstil .
- Tariq Lamptey , Alexander Djiku , Jerome Opoku , Ibrahim Osman , and Jonas Adjetey .
A slim hope of qualification
Ghana, however, received a glimmer of hope with Sudan’s surprise 0-4 defeat to Niger on Thursday. This result gives the Black Stars a mathematical chance:
- Beat Angola this Friday, then Niger on November 18.
- Hope Sudan loses to Angola on the final day.
A real miracle would be needed for Ghanaians to secure their ticket to Morocco in 2025.
Conclusion: Believe in their star
Ghana, nicknamed the Black Stars , will have to draw on their history and pride to turn the situation around. But faced with injuries, an unstable bench and dependence on the results of others, qualification is a feat. However, when you have such an evocative name, there is still hope that your star will shine .
