Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 18, 2024 at 4pm UK

Ozumachi Sports Stadium

Ghanavs.Niger

Match preview

It was a sad end to Ghana's hopes of reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Angola when the two teams met at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Friday.

Ghana had a flying start when Leicester City's Jordan Ayew scored with a long-range free kick, putting them in the lead in the first half. Angola equalised in the 64th minute with a goal from Zini, sharing the points and dashing the hopes of the two-time African champions.

The draw with Angola means that Otto Addo's team haven't won any of their five matches in Group F. They've lost twice and drawn three, which puts them at the bottom of the table, four points behind second-placed Sudan.

This will be the first time the Black Stars have missed the Africa Cup of Nations in the last two decades. They last failed to qualify in 2004, when they missed out on a place in Tunisia.

Ghana's not-so-great qualifying campaign has been affected by some problems at the attacking end of the pitch. Despite having a strong and talented squad, they've only scored two goals so far.

Niger, on the other hand, picked up three crucial points in their late push for a spot in Morocco as they thrashed Sudan 4-0 when they finished at the Stade de Kegue on Thursday.

With the threat of elimination looming large, goals from Youssouf Oumarou, Ousseni Badamassi and a first-half brace from Kryvbas forward Daniel Sosah inspired the Mena to a comfortable victory, keeping their slim qualification hopes alive.

Niger hadn't won any of their previous four games in Group F, with one draw and three losses, including back-to-back defeats against Angola in October's double-header.

Zaki Badou's team, currently ranked 131st in the FIFA World Rankings, have picked up four points from a possible 15, putting them in third place in Group F. They're three points behind second-placed Sudan, but with a stronger goal difference (+2).

However, Niger have a tough task ahead of them as they take on Ghana, who have been unbeaten in 13 of the last 15 meetings between the two nations. Since February 1969, Ghana have claimed 11 wins and two draws.

Recent Performance

Ghana Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:LDDLD

Ghana form (all competitions):WLDDLD

Niger Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:LDLLW

Niger form (all competitions):DLDLLW

Team News

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was forced off at half time on Thursday against Angola, and the 20-year-old forward is set to return to his club side, Leicester City, on Sunday.

Fellow Leicester attacker Ayew picked up a knee problem in the aforementioned game, while Gideon Mensah and Alidu Seidu have been ruled out due to fitness issues.

After a strong win against Sudan, it's likely that Badou will field a similar Niger XI this weekend, with 26-year-old Sosah leading the attack once again.

He should be joined in the final third by Kairou Amoustapha and Boubacar Hainikoye, while we could see Badamassi Oumaroun and Sheriff Tiraspol man Ali Mohamed in midfield for a second consecutive game.

We're expecting Abdoul Garba, Abdoulaye Boureima Katkore, Oumar Sako and Abdel Rahim Alhassane to keep their spots at the back, with Mahamadou Djibo starting in goal again.

Possible starting lineup

Ghana possible starting lineup:

Nurudeen; Mensah, Simpson, Seidu, Schindler; Sulemana, Owusu, Baidoo; Annan, Konigsdorffer, Naumah

Niger possible starting lineup:

Djibo; Garba, Katkore, Sako, Alhassane; Oumarou, Badamassi, Mohamed; Hainikoye, Sosah, Amoustapha