Ghana to Host Sudan in Crucial AFCON Qualifier

Ghana‘s national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is set to host Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday evening. This match forms a crucial part of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The Black Stars have had a shaky start to their qualifying campaign. After a surprising 1-0 home defeat to Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, their subsequent match resulted in a 1-1 draw against Niger. Ghana took the lead just before halftime, but despite their dominance on the field, they were unable to capitalize, allowing Niger to score an equalizer in the 81st minute.

Ghana currently sits third in Group F with only one point, highlighting the importance of their double-header against Sudan. Failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON would mark a significant setback, as Ghana has been a consistent presence in the tournament, participating in each edition since missing out in 2004.

On the other hand, Sudan started their Group F journey with a victory over Niger but faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Angola in their second match. The Falcons of Jediane, led by former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah, look to capitalize on their current second-place standing with three points. Sudan’s recent performances have been promising, with earlier successes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Historically, Ghana has performed well against Sudan on home soil, with four wins and a draw from their five encounters. The Black Stars will face the Sudanese team without some of their initial squad members like Daniel Amartey and Nicholas Opoku, who have withdrawn due to injuries. Despite these challenges, replacements like Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City and Athletic Bilbao‘s Inaki Williams are set to strengthen Ghana’s lineup.

For the Sudanese side, the return of players like former Al Hilal star Nasir is expected to bolster their efforts in Ghana. As it stands, both teams recognize the critical nature of these matches for securing their place in the 2025 AFCON tournament.

Anticipation is high as Ghana’s coach, Chris Hughton, prepares his team for what could be a decisive fixture in their qualification quest. Meanwhile, Sudan will aim to draw on their past experiences and recent victories in international play as they take on the challenge posed by the Black Stars.