Black Stars fail to qualify for 2025 Afcon, Angola 1:1 Ghana (PLAYBACK)

For the first time in 20 years, Ghana’s Black Stars and four times champions, will miss the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after failing to win their penultimate Group F game against Angola in Luanda Friday evening.

Going into yesterday’s game with only two points from a possible 12 games from four games, the Stars had hoped to fight for a slot for Morocco to the end, but as has been their misery through out this campaign, they had to surrender a lead which cost them a place among the 24 teams that will be in Morocco nest year.  

With only the first two from each group qualifying for the tournament in Morocco, Angola (12 points) and Sudan (7 points) occupying those spots in Group F , meant the Stars' trip to Luanda was a mere formality.

Though placed bottom on the log, Otto Addo and his charges had hoped to get something positive out of Luanda, and they were handed a lifeline last Thursday when Niger stunned Sudan 4-0 in their game.

Indeed, a 19th minute goal from captain Jordan Ayew and a penalty save by Manaf  raised their hope and for the first half and the first quarter of the second half, it looked like they would make it.

However, the Group F leaders, Angolans, with one foot already in Morocco and who were yet to lose a game at home in this campaign, denied their guests that relief, equalising on the 64th minute to maintain their unbeaten home record.

Goals

Ayew expertly converted a 15-yard freekick and put the Stars in the lead and 10 minutes later, Angola had the chance to equalise but Abdul Manaf Nurudeen sent the wrong way, still managed to use his legs to foil the shot from N’bala Nzola.

The game remained fairly balanced till the end of the first half.

The Angolans resumed the second half with some urgency, pinning the Stars to their own half with a barrage of attacks and it was from one of such attacks that substitute Zini scored.

The 22-year-old Levadiakos loanee rocked the boat for Ghana when he beat his markers and unleashed a strike that Manaf could do nothing about.

Both sides had the opportunity to increase their tally, but poor finishing on the part of Ghana, and some brave saves from Manaf, kept the results a goal apiece till the end.

Frustrating campaign

It has been everything but a good campaign for Coach Addo and his charges, as from the five games played, they have drawn three and lost two, worse, have scored only two goals and conceded five.

The final group qualifier against Niger in Accra on Monday, will do little to change their fortunes other than they playing for pride.

In 2004 when the Stars last failed to qualify, they faced a similar disastrous campaign, where from Group 13 with three teams, failed to go past  Rwanda and Uganda,  finishing that campaign with four points from a win, a draw and two losses. 

Jordan Ayew's opening goal against Angola pic.twitter.com/ApK0xWJ6cN

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— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) November 15, 2024