Ghana’s disappointing 2025 AFCON qualification campaign came to a close with a 2-1 loss to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium. The defeat marked the Black Stars’ sixth consecutive outing without a win, ultimately resulting in their failure to qualify for the continental championship for the first time in 20 years.
The Black Stars finished bottom of Group F with a mere three points, losing to Sudan and Angola. Otto Addo’s men struggled to defend set pieces, a recurring issue that cost them dearly against Niger.
Despite overseeing arguably the worst qualification campaign in Black Stars history, Otto Addo remains resolute. “I’m not the person who can resign,” he declared in a post-game interview. “If you know where I have come from as a person to arrive at this job, you won’t even ask about resignation.”
Addo acknowledged the team’s struggles but highlighted some positives, particularly the performances of debutants. “There are some positives, especially from players who hadn’t played before but did well today,” he added.
In a surprising turn, Addo used the platform to call for peaceful elections in Ghana. “I would like to pray for peaceful elections. We have a peaceful country, so no matter the outcome, we pray for peace,” he said.
The defeat has left fans and stakeholders questioning the direction of the national team under Addo’s leadership. Addo urged the media and fans to shift focus away from blame and instead support the players.
