The Black Stars of Ghana extended their winless streak to four matches following a disappointing 2-0 loss to Sudan in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday, October 15. The match, held at the Benina Martyrs Stadium, has placed Ghana’s qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Ghana, yet to record a victory in their AFCON qualifying campaign, struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Sudanese side. Despite making only one change from the previous goalless draw in Accra—bringing in Iñaki Williams for Jordan Ayew in the attacking lineup—the Black Stars’ offensive struggles persisted.
Although they dominated possession in the first half, Ghana’s inability to convert chances was glaring, as they failed to register a single shot on target from their four attempts. Meanwhile, Sudan posed more danger with their five attempts, but neither side could break the deadlock before halftime.
The tide turned in Sudan’s favor in the second half, as they capitalized on Ghana’s defensive errors. In the 62nd minute, Ahmed Al-Tash seized an opportunity after a mix-up between Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and his defenders, tapping the ball into an empty net to give Sudan a crucial lead.
Sudan quickly doubled their advantage just three minutes later. Mohamed Abdelrahman slotted home a pass from Ahmed Yousif, cementing Sudan’s dominance and leaving the Black Stars with an insurmountable task.
This latest defeat leaves Ghana five points behind Sudan, who are managed by former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah, intensifying the pressure on Otto Addo’s squad. With only two qualifying matches remaining—against Angola on November 11 and Niger on November 19—Ghana faces an uphill battle to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament.
