Antoine Semenyo has admitted that the camp of the Ghana national football team was left deeply disappointed after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, describing the experience as frustrating and emotionally difficult for the players.
Ghana endured a difficult qualifying campaign and ultimately missed out on the continental tournament for the first time in over two decades, finishing bottom of Group F with just three points from six matches.
The Black Stars recorded three draws and three defeats, a disappointing return that ended their hopes of reaching the AFCON finals.
Speaking in an interview with FIFA, Semenyo acknowledged the pain of the failure but stressed that the team has since shifted focus and responded positively by securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We were so frustrated that we didn’t qualify. It was very, very tough. But I feel like we’ve rectified that in terms of qualifying for the World Cup,” he said.
Despite the setback, the forward believes the current squad has matured from the experience and is now mentally stronger heading into major international competition.
Semenyo further emphasized that the Black Stars are not just heading to the World Cup to participate, but to compete strongly against the world’s best teams.
“But we’re not just coming to the World Cup; we want to compete on all levels. I feel like everyone in the team is ready to go,” he added.
“For us, we can compete with these teams. It’s just about winning games, having fun and showing the nation what we can do,” he concluded.
Ghana will now turn their attention fully to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, with expectations rising ahead of the tournament.
