The Black Stars of Ghana completed the AFCON 2025 qualifiers without a win, a new low in the annals of Ghana football.
With qualification for the championship already confirmed for Angola and Sudan, the Black Stars needed a win to move from the bottom of the table.
But in the presence of a few die-hard fans at the Accra Sports Stadium, yesterday, the Black Stars disappointed again, suffering a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Niger.
Kudus Mohammed, who captained the team, was presented with a chance for the team to share the spoils but a late penalty award Ghana was saved by the Niger goalkeeper.
For the hundreds of Niger fans at the stadium, it was a moment to savour. They celebrated with members of the playing body.
The Ghanaians, however, remained glued to their seats, wondering what the next move might be for the Stars, whose performance is nothing to write home about.
Niger’s 4-0 thrashing of Sudan in Togo on Friday made the signals clearer on the wall as to what the Black Stars should expect.
Indeed, the team showed character and stood toe-to-toe with the Black Stars after the whistle for the referee sounded for the start of the game.
It was a ding dong affair at the initial stages with Ghana enjoying greater possession as the Nigeriens massed up in midfield.
The composed Nigeriens, however, lifted their game and made several forays into the Black Stars area.
In one of their forays, they penetrated the Stars defence to create a chance which was cleared to corner.
The resultant corner kick was headed home by an unmarked Ousseini Soumaila Badamasi in the 22nd minute for the opener, with goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen lost in the challenge for the ball.
The goal clearly unsettled the Ghanaians as Niger grew in confidence and controlled the game.
Coach Otto Addo realised this and effected his first substitution, bringing out Nathaniel Adjei in the 40th minute for his place to be taken by Osman Bukari to get the midfield going.
Niger started the second half with an aggression and went straight into action, putting the Ghanaians under pressure.
Ebenezer Abban went into the referee’s book for a foul on a Niger attacker halfway the Stars area but the free kick was fired above the goalpost to the relief of the Ghanaians.
Ghana settled and took control of the game and attacked on the left side but a cross from Ebenezer Anane was deflected to corner by Abdoul Latif Djibril. The resultant corner was cleared by the Niger defence.
Coach Otto Addo then brought on Jerry Afriyie in place of Ransford Yeboah Konigsdorfer in the 58th minute as he tries to strengthen the attack.
Ten minutes later, his effect was felt after firing in the equaliser from close range.
It came from a beautiful team effort that saw a pass into the Niger goal area crossed to the path of the youngster who wasted to bundle it home.
It came as a huge relief for the Ghanaian representation, especially Coach Otto Addo who could not hide his joy as he joined the players to celebrate the feat.
The expectation afterwards was a fight-back to score the leader.
Sadly, it was Niger that struck again with another free header by Oumar Sako from a cross into the area with the over eight players and goalkeeper defending the goal area caught ball-watching.
Coming as late as the 88th minute, it left the Stars with a huge task to try to bounce back.
Late into the game, the Stars threatened the Niger defence with goal scorer, Jerry Afriyie trapping a ball which he passed to a heavily marked Kudus Mohammed in the goal area.
Kudus attempted to take on his markers and was successful with the first attempt but was brought down by Soumana Boubacar Hainikoye for referee Rurisa Patience Fidele to point to the spot.
However, Kudus penalty kick was saved by the Niger goalkeeper, Mahamadou Djibrilla Kassali, to leave Ghanaians broken-hearted.
BY ANDREW NORTEY