Ghana’s bid to revitalize their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualification campaign suffered a major setback as they were held to a goalless draw by Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. Despite their best efforts, the Black Stars were left frustrated, failing to capitalize on their dominance in the match.
The match began with high hopes for Ghana, who started the game with urgency and intent. In just the fourth minute, defender Alexander Djiku came close to opening the scoring, his powerful header rattling the crossbar after an expertly delivered corner from midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
The early signs were promising for the Black Stars, who kept pushing forward in search of the opener. Antoine Semenyo had a glorious opportunity in the 17th minute, forcing a top-class save from Sudan’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Mustafa Ahmed, who proved to be a thorn in Ghana’s side throughout the game.
Despite their early dominance, Ghana’s inability to find the back of the net soon became evident. Sudan gradually grew into the game, becoming more compact in defense and limiting the Black Stars’ attacking opportunities. Their well-organized backline stifled Ghana’s attempts to create clear-cut chances.
Kudus continued to be the most dangerous player for Ghana, frequently trying to unlock Sudan’s defense. Early in the second half, he unleashed a fierce shot that seemed destined for the net, but Mustafa once again came to Sudan’s rescue with another stunning save.
As the game wore on, frustrations began to creep in for Ghana. The lack of cutting edge in the final third became more apparent, with Sudan doing well to close down spaces and disrupt Ghana’s flow. Ghana’s forwards struggled to connect with the decisive final pass, and their chances became fewer.
One of the best chances of the match came in the 88th minute when Kudus found himself in an excellent position to score. However, Mustafa was equal to the task, making a remarkable goal-line save to keep Sudan level. This save effectively sealed a crucial point for the visitors.
For Ghana, the result was a bitter pill to swallow. With just two points from three games, the Black Stars’ path to AFCON qualification has become more complicated. The draw leaves them in a precarious position, with a difficult away match looming against Sudan in Libya on October 15, 2024.
Coach Chris Hughton, visibly frustrated on the touchline, will need to find solutions quickly. Ghana’s attacking woes have been evident in recent matches, and the pressure is mounting as they approach the decisive fixtures in their qualifying campaign.
Sudan, on the other hand, will be pleased with their performance. They showed resilience and discipline, managing to secure a valuable point away from home. Their defense, marshaled by Mustafa’s heroics, was the standout feature of the game.
The Black Stars, once dominant in African football, now face an uphill battle to secure their spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament. Their failure to score at home is a worrying sign, and they will need a marked improvement if they are to keep their hopes alive.
The upcoming return fixture in Libya now takes on even greater significance. Ghana will need nothing less than a victory to boost their chances of qualification. Anything short of three points could spell disaster for their campaign.
Hughton is likely to make changes ahead of the crucial encounter, especially in attack, where the team has been lacking a cutting edge. Players like Kudus and Semenyo, despite their efforts, will need to find a way to be more clinical in front of goal.
The Black Stars’ defense, however, has been relatively solid, with Djiku and Joseph Aidoo forming a strong partnership at the back. It’s the attack that will need the most attention if Ghana is to avoid an early exit from the qualifiers.
As the October 15 match approaches, the pressure will be on the players and coaching staff to turn things around. A loss or even a draw could potentially end their chances of making it to AFCON 2025.
Ghana starting XI:
L. Ati-Zigi, A. Seidu, A. Djiku, M. Salisu, G. Mensah, E. Owusu, I. Sulemana (M. Baidoo 80′), E. Nuamah (A. Fatawu 69′), M. Kudus, A. Semenyo, J. Ayew (I. Williams 69′). Sudan: M. Al Mustafa, R. Agab, A. Kuku, M. Karshoum, A. Yousif, M. Erneq, M. Al Rashed (A. Al Tash 61′), W. Khedr, A. Eisa (E. Mugadam 61′), M. Abdelrahman (J. Robia 85′), S. Terry (M. Eisa 67′).
Sudan starting XI: M. Al Mustafa, R. Agab, A. Kuku, M. Karshoum, A. Yousif, M. Erneq, M. Al Rashed (A. Al Tash 61′), W. Khedr, A. Eisa (E. Mugadam 61′), M. Abdelrahman (J. Robia 85′), S. Terry (M. Eisa 67′).
