Ghana’s path to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has become more uncertain following a difficult start to their qualification campaign. With back-to-back underwhelming performances and dropped points, the Black Stars now find themselves in a precarious position, leaving many fans concerned about their chances of securing a spot in the prestigious continental tournament.
After a 1-1 draw against Niger in their latest qualifier, head coach Otto Addo addressed the growing concerns about the team’s performance. In a candid post-match interview, Addo acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained cautiously optimistic about Ghana’s ability to qualify for AFCON despite the shaky start.
“It’s still possible, but we have to improve, we have to improve much,” Addo emphasized. “We have to use our chances and also defend better in detail and learn our lessons. Like I said, the goals we conceded are too cheap, and we have to grow from this. We have to learn from this.”
Addo’s remarks reflect the deep frustration within the camp. The Black Stars, who have historically been one of Africa’s football powerhouses, have struggled to find consistency in their play. Defensive lapses and wasted scoring opportunities have plagued their campaign so far, leaving them with less room for error in the remaining fixtures.
The coach was quick to point out that this rough patch must serve as a critical learning moment for the team, one that could either push them to improve or result in a painful missed opportunity.
“This is even more than a wake-up call,” Addo added. “We need to learn from these mistakes and grow. It’s not too late, but we can’t keep repeating the same errors if we want to qualify.”
Ghana’s chances of making it to AFCON now hinge on their ability to turn things around in the upcoming matches. The road to qualification is far from easy, with other teams in their group also fighting for the top spots. The Black Stars will need to secure maximum points in their remaining fixtures to avoid relying on other results.
Ghanaian football fans are still hopeful, despite the difficult circumstances.