AFCON: Kudus misses penalty as Black Stars lose 2-1 to Niger at Accra Sports
The Black Stars of Ghana lost 2-1 in their last game against Niger in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.
Nigerien player Ousseini Badamassi scored in the 22nd minute to put his side ahead as they dominated the early stage of the game.
The Black Stars could not find the equalizer in the first half despite Ernest Nuamah and other players getting some decent chances.
Ghana bounced back in the second half as youngster Jerry Afriyie found the equalizer in the 67th minute.
The team’s poor defensive play led to a late second goal from Niger player Oumar Sako, who headed the ball into the net via a free kick in the 92nd minute.
In dramatic fashion, Mohammed Kudus missed a crucial penalty that could have salvaged the team from an embarrassing defeat.
After six matches played in the qualifiers, the Black Stars drew three and lost three, failing to win a single game.
The team finished at the bottom of Group F with three points. Angola topped the group with fourteen points, while Sudan were second with eight points, and Niger finished third with seven points.
Angola and Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan qualified for the 2025 AFCON from the group, marking the first time in 21 years that the Black Stars have failed to make it to the tournament.
