AFCON Qualifiers: Niger scores late goal to worsen Ghana’s woes

The Black Stars of Ghana lost 2-1 to Niger at the Accra Sports stadium for the final round of games in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Niger started making early incursions in the game. They had an early freekick in the game as early as the second minute but it was ruled out for an offiside after it was effected.

In  the 11th minute, Black Stars goalkeeper, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen made a timely save to prevent Niger from breaking the deadlock.

However, in the 21st minute, Niger broke the deadlock after Ousseini Badamasi headed in a pin-point cross from a corner kick. Niger also missed a glorious  chance in the 25th minute after Abdoul Amoustapha beautifully dribbled past Issac Afful and set up a pass for  Daniel Sosah who missed the net by inches.

Ghana skipper, Mohammed Kudus had the perfect opportunity to equalize  in the 36th minute but his shot lacked the power to beat Niger goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo. .

Otto Addo made his first substitution by bringing in Osman Bukari  for Nathaniel Adjei in the 39th minute.

In the second half, Ebenezer Annan and Kamaradini Mamudu came on for Isaac Afful and Kingsley Schindler. Jerry Afriyie also came on for Ransford Yeboah in the 58th minute.

Jerry Afriyie  scored a debut goal for Ghana in the 67th minute to restore parity. In the 71st minute, Razak Simpson missed the net by a whisker through a  header.

Ebenezer Abban came on for the injured Terry Yegbe in the 78th minute. Mohammed Kudus nearly gave Ghana the lead in the 83rd minute when his freekick hit the post.’

Oumar Sako extended Niger’s lead in the 90th minute through a freekick. Mohammed Kudus had a chance to settle scores from the penalty spot but Niger’s goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo saved the penalty to end proceedings.

Despite the win for Niger, they failed to qualify for the AFCON 2025 due to the draw between Angola and Sudan.