AFCON 2025Q: BlackStars fail to glitter against Niger

The Black Stars of Ghana stumble at yet another opportunity to pick all maximum points against Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Otto Addo led the BlackStars to a shocking home defeat against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a game the host was highly anticipated to win.

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The squad lineup saw two new faces Majeed Ashimeru and Inaki Williams introduced for Elisha Owusu and Jordan Ayew.

Stade Rennes’s Alidu Seidu swirling shot in the 44th minute spurred the blushes of the West African side after a long spell of possession and little penetration and chance creation in that half.

The BlackStars should have increased their tally in the second half through Mohammed Kudus as they got to the end of Inaki Williams’s pass.

Inaki Williams was put through on goal by defender Mohammed Salisu but his effort was nullified by the Nigerien goalkeeper.

With the game ending 1-0 in favor of Otto Addo and his charges, Oumar Sako pounced on a lackluster defending after the BlackStar’s defense failed to clear the initial corner from the right side of the defense.

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The result means Ghana picked up just one point in their opening two games of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.