Black Stars miss out on AFCON qualification after stalemate with Angola

For the first time in two decades, Ghana’s Black Stars will not feature in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON), as their hopes were dashed in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Angola in Luanda on Friday evening.

This marks the Stars’ failure to qualify for the prestigious tournament, which they have won four times, and extends a troubling pattern of poor performances in major competitions, drawing widespread criticism from fans.

Heading into the match with just two points from their first four games in Group F, Ghana’s Black Stars had little margin for error. Despite hopes of securing a qualification spot for Morocco, the team’s inability to hold onto a lead ultimately cost them a chance at qualification, as Angola and Sudan secured the top two spots in the group.

Angola, with 12 points, and Sudan, with 7 points, will both be heading to Morocco for next year’s AFCON, while Ghana’s fate was sealed in Luanda.

The Black Stars, who were already placed at the bottom of the group, clung to a glimmer of hope after Niger’s surprising 4-0 victory over Sudan last Thursday.

A 19th-minute strike from captain Jordan Ayew, combined with a penalty save by goalkeeper Manaf Nurudeen, gave Ghana an early advantage and reignited their dreams of qualifying. For a brief period, it seemed the Black Stars might pull off a crucial result.

However, Angola, already secure in their spot at the top of the group and undefeated at home throughout the campaign, equalised in the 64th minute. Substitute Zini’s well-executed goal dampened Ghana’s hopes, as he shrugged off his markers and netted a powerful strike that left Manaf helpless.

While Ghana continued to battle, they were unable to capitalise on any further opportunities, with poor finishing and brave saves from Manaf keeping the score level.

Both teams had their chances to secure a winner, but the game ended in a draw, sealing Ghana’s fate and confirming their absence from the 2024 AFCON tournament.

Coach Otto Addo’s squad now faces a final qualifier against Niger in Accra on Monday, but with no hopes of advancing, it will be a match played only for pride.

This failure marks a stark contrast to their last missed AFCON qualification in 2004, when they finished third in Group 13 after a similarly dismal campaign.

With only two goals scored and five conceded from their five group-stage matches, the Black Stars’ performance this year has been their worst in recent memory.

The Ghana Football Association has yet to announce their next steps following the national team’s failure to qualify.