AFCON 2025 Qualifier: Otto Addo confident of Black Stars' success against Sudan

Ghana coach, Otto Addo, admits the Black Stars' destiny in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers is firmly in their own hands.

This afternoon, the team have no other option but to produce a match-winning performance against Sudan in a do-or-die encounter to revive their faltering campaign.

After three winless games, Ghana find themselves in a precarious third place in Group F, trailing leaders Angola and sitting two points behind second-placed Sudan.

Today's clash at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi is a must-win for the Black Stars, who were left frustrated last Thursday after dominating Sudan in Accra but failing to convert their chances, leading to a disappointing scoreless stalemate.

Coach Otto Addo, who is under increasing pressure to turn things around, took positives from Ghana’s dominant display, acknowledging that while the team controlled the game, their inability to finish in front of goal was their downfall.

He is confident that with a little more sharpness in attack, the Black Stars can find the net and secure the much-needed victory.

"It's still in our own hands. We must win the next game to stay in the race," Otto Addo declared confidently. "With the same performance, the same passion, the same creativity up front, we will beat them away. Sudan were very lucky today. The next time we meet in Libya, they won’t be as fortunate as they were today."

Ghana seek redemption

To get the job done, the Ghana coach expects his defence, comprising Alidu Seidu, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Salisu to replicate their solid showing from the first leg.

In midfield, the tireless efforts of Elisha Owusu and Ibrahim Sulemana will be crucial in neutralising Sudan’s attacking threat, while the mercurial Mohammed Kudus is expected to unlock the opposition's defence and create scoring opportunities for forwards Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams.

Sudan, guided by veteran Ghanaian coach, Kwasi Appiah, enter this match with their tails up, buoyed by their ability to frustrate Ghana in Accra.

Appiah, who led the Black Stars to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFCON, knows his former side inside-out and has promised to make life difficult for them once again.

Sudan’s transformation under Appiah and his assistant, Ignatius Osei-Fosu has been remarkable and although the Nile Crocodiles lack the star power of the Black Stars, their disciplined approach and home advantage could pose a serious threat.

For Otto Addo and his team of star names such as Kudus, Ayew, Semenyo and Williams, this is the moment to dig deep and show their true class to produce a winning performance to keep their AFCON dream alive and also restore faith in the team.

However, a loss or draw would leave Ghana on the brink of missing the AFCON for the first time since 2004.