Ghana ended the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers winless following 2-1 defeat to Niger in the final match at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Despite having their fate already sealed of not qualifying for next year’s continental event for the first time since 2004, the Black Stars hoped to, at the very least, end the qualifying series on a good note.
However, it was the Nigeriens who drew first blood through Ousseini Badamasi with a powerful header in the 22 minute.
Forward Daniel Sosah could have doubled the lead for the visitors but spurned his effort following a fine cut-back in the box by teammate Abdoul Amoustapha.
Otto Addo made substitutions to change the direction of the match including bring on Thought FC’s Jerry Afriyie – Division Two – who restored parity with a fine strike in the 67th minute.
As the match appears to be ending in a stalemate, Oumar Sako scored from a header to put Niger ahead in injury time.
Ghana captain Mohammed Kudus had the chance to avoid a defeat with a penalty but had his effort saved by goalkeeper Mahamadou Djibo.
It is the first time Ghana has failed to win a match in a qualifying series in its history and ended the journey at the bottom of Group F as Angola and Sudan ended as the top two finishers.
