Following a devastating defeat to Sudan, Ghana's Black Stars faced a significant blow to their hopes of making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The team's prospects are now very slim as a result of the loss.
Today, Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya, the four-time African champions faced Sudan, in dire need of a victory to turn around their flagging campaign. But the Sudanese Falcons, who were more focused and motivated that day, outperformed the Black Stars, ultimately losing 2-0.
Despite early promise, Ghana's efforts were in fruitless as they entered the encounter with just two points from their first three games. Coach Otto Addo benched Jordan Ayew in favor of Inaki Williams in an attempt to get more inventive play from the front line. In the first few minutes, the Black Stars appeared active, but Sudan managed to hold their footing.
Ghana's goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi had to make numerous saves in a tense first half, including one in the 14th minute against Sudan's Abubakar Mohamed. Ghana had several opportunities to break the deadlock, including a goal rejected by Inaki Williams in the second half.


Sudan took advantage of Ghana's defensive blunders, scoring twice in as many minutes, first through Mahmoud Mohamed in the 62nd and Mohammed Abdel-Rahman minutes later. With a two-goal deficit, the Black Stars were unable to get back into the game.
Ghana's hopes of qualifying for the AFCON are in risk due to their third-place standing in the group, with only two points from four games. To have any chance of qualifying, they now need to win their final games in November against Niger and Angola and hope that Sudan drops points. Numerous mathematical estimates suggesting Ghana might yet be able to qualify are already widely shared on social media.