Sudan’s quickfire goals ensure Ghana’s doom as the Black Stars battle in Benghazi.
Following a disheartening 2-0 loss to Sudan at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi on Tuesday afternoon, Ghana’s Black Stars are almost losing out on Africa Cup of Nations qualification for the first time in 20 years.
With an uphill fight to guarantee their spot in the Moroccan competition next year, this outcome puts the Black Stars in a vulnerable state.
Though luck may have had a role in Sudan’s past tie in Accra, they came out fire in this game; Black Stars, in the previous meeting against Sudan, had the upper hand but failed to convert their chances.
Seizing their chances with two quick goals in the second half that finally resolved the battle, the North Africans were disciplined tactically and determined.
Though Sudan’s deliberate approach kept Ghana on the back foot, they lacked dominance of possession. Several times called upon, Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi made vital saves to keep his club in the game.
Kurt Okraku’s Black Stars faces exclusion from AFCON after 20 years
The finest chance came from a cross, but a misunderstanding between Ernest Nuamah and Inaki Williams saw them clash rather than connect. For a squad sorely in need of goals, Ghana’s lack of a single shot on target by halftime was alarming.
When Inaki Williams’s goal was denied for offside in the second half, Ghana had some optimism. Replays showed the ruling was wrong. With a counterattack in the 62nd minute and a goal by Ahmed Al-Tash, the unfortunate turn of events swung the tide in Sudan’s favor.
Alidu Seidu and Gideon Mensah failed to clear the ball, exposing Ghana’s defensive shortcomings and allowing Sudan to lead. Three minutes later, Mohamed Abdel Raman showed his speed, surpassing Mohammed Salisu and low shot pasting Ati-Zigi to increase Sudan’s lead.
With Mohammed Kudus’s bold shot flying over the bar and Inaki Williams missing a volleyball from inside the box, Ghana battled to mount a reply. Left disappointed, Sudan turned to time-wasting strategies and rough play, which set off tempers on the field.
The group standing as it stand shows Angola leading with 9 points, then Sudan with 7 points. With just two points, Ghana is wallowing in third; ahead of Niger, who has one point, Technically, Angola has already qualified; Sudan is only a little distance away from a guaranteed spot.
Ghana has to win their two remaining games against Angola and Niger depending on Sudan to drop points against the same opponent if they are to have any hope.
This loss has spurred a closer examination of Ghanaian football’s situation. Having had their last AFCON victory in 1982, the Black Stars have been suffering for years.
The team has experienced consecutive group-stage exits in the 2021 and 2023 competitions; failing to qualify for 2025 would be a significant drop for a country that used to rule African football.
Knowing that this may perhaps cost Coach Otto Addo his job, he cut a depressed figure on the sidelines.
Ghana’s inability to register a single goal during the October international break adds more strain as they try to reorganize and save their qualifying effort.
