Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification dreams are on the line as the Black Stars face Sudan in a crucial match on Tuesday. After a goalless draw at home in their previous encounter, the stakes couldn’t be higher for head coach Otto Addo and his team. With Ghana trailing both Angola and Sudan in Group F, the team must secure a victory to keep their hopes alive for the 2025 AFCON finals.
The Black Stars are a powerhouse in African football, boasting a proud history that includes four AFCON titles. However, their path to the 2025 tournament in Ivory Coast has been anything but smooth. Currently, Ghana sits third in their group, seven points behind Angola and two points behind Sudan. Only the top two teams from each group will qualify for the 24-team finals, and with just two matches left in the group stage, every point is crucial.
Ghana’s Pivotal AFCON Qualifier
The pressure is mounting on the Black Stars as they prepare for their must-win match against Sudan, which will take place in Benghazi, Libya. Sudan has been playing their home games there due to the ongoing civil unrest in their country, but that hasn’t stopped them from being a formidable opponent in Group F. Ghana will need to bring their best game to overcome Sudan and stay in the race for qualification.
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, is no stranger to high-pressure situations. In his second spell as coach of the national team, Addo has made it clear that nothing less than a victory will suffice in this match. “We have to win,” he stressed in a recent press conference, underscoring the importance of the upcoming game. Addo’s confidence in his squad’s ability to deliver is unwavering, but the Black Stars will have to overcome some significant obstacles if they are to claim all three points.
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Key Players Missing from the Lineup
One of the biggest challenges facing Ghana is the absence of some of their key players, particularly Arsenal’s midfield maestro, Thomas Partey. Partey, who is a critical figure in Ghana’s midfield, has been ruled out due to injury. His absence will leave a huge void in the team, both in terms of his defensive capabilities and his ability to control the tempo of the game.
Partey’s injury comes at a particularly difficult time for the Black Stars, as they will need every ounce of experience and leadership to navigate their way through this tough fixture. However, coach Otto Addo remains optimistic that the team can rise to the occasion, even without their star midfielder.
Stepping up in Partey’s absence will be West Ham’s attacking midfielder, Mohammed Kudus. Kudus has been one of the standout players for both club and country, and his ability to create scoring opportunities will be key to unlocking Sudan’s defense. Ghana will also rely heavily on the experience of captain Andre Ayew, who has been a consistent performer for the Black Stars over the years.
Otto Addo’s Tactical Approach
With so much on the line, Otto Addo’s tactical approach to this match will be crucial. The goalless draw in Accra highlighted Ghana’s struggles to convert chances, as they failed to capitalize on several clear opportunities. Addo will need to make adjustments to ensure that his team can find the back of the net in Benghazi.
“We analyzed what went wrong in the first match, and we have to be more clinical in front of goal,” Addo explained. “The chances were there, but we didn’t take them, and that’s something we can’t afford to repeat.”
Ghana’s attacking options will be led by Jordan Ayew, who has the pace and skill to trouble Sudan’s backline. However, it will be important for the Black Stars to balance their attack with a solid defensive performance. Sudan has shown they can be dangerous on the counterattack, and Ghana’s defense, marshaled by Southampton’s Mohammed Salisu, will need to stay alert to avoid any costly mistakes.
A Must-Win Situation
Ghana’s qualification campaign for the 2025 AFCON has been underwhelming so far, but the Black Stars have the talent and experience to turn things around. The team has not missed out on an AFCON tournament in over two decades, with their last failure to qualify occurring in 2003. Ghana’s fans are hoping that history will not repeat itself, but that will depend on how the team performs in their final two group-stage matches.
Where Ghana finishes in the group is entirely in their hands. If they win their remaining games, they will be in a strong position to qualify for the tournament. However, anything less than a win against Sudan could leave their hopes hanging by a thread.
The significance of this match is not lost on Otto Addo. “Where we finish is in our hands,” he reiterated, highlighting the need for his team to take control of their destiny. Addo’s belief in his players’ ability to step up and deliver is clear, but the pressure will be immense when they take to the field in Benghazi.
Preview of the Next AFCON Qualifier
After facing Sudan, Ghana will have one final match to secure their place in the 2025 AFCON finals. Their last group-stage match will be against Angola, the current group leaders, making it another high-stakes encounter. Angola has been in excellent form throughout the qualifying campaign, and Ghana will need to bring their A-game to overcome them.
For now, though, all focus is on the upcoming match against Sudan. A win would put Ghana back in the race for qualification and set up a thrilling final matchday showdown against Angola. Anything less than three points, however, could see the Black Stars miss out on the AFCON finals for the first time in 21 years.
