Ghana lost their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with a 2-1 defeat to Niger Republic in their final match in Group F.
The team had only secured three points in these AFCON qualifiers while they sit at the bottom of the group table, and they are unable to qualify for the 2025 AFCON game in Morocco.
Ghana’s fate was sealed when Mohammed Kudus missed a penalty he played in the 94th minute. Kudus, who was fouled against in the box, was provided the opportunity to play the penalty, but his effort was saved by Mahamadou Djibo, the Niger goalkeeper.
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, made a surprise lineup with six changes, providing Isaac Afful, Nathaniel Adjei, and Terry Yegbe the opportunity to play their first match for their country.
Players like Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Razak Simpson, Mohammed Kudus, Ibrahim Sulemana, and Kingsley Schindler also made it to the lineup list.
Ousseini Badamassi scored a header from a corner kick in the 22nd minute to put Niger in the lead, but the Black Stars draw the game after teenager Jerry Afriyie converted Ernest Nuamah’s cross into a goal in the 67th minute.
A determined Niger Republic scored another goal in the 92nd minute through a header from Oumar Sako from a free-kick. While Ghana did all they could to equalize, the team was awarded a penalty, but Kudus missed the chance, which ended the game at 2-1 in favor of Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana had their worst time in the tournament with three losses, three draws, and no win.
