Former Hearts of Oak chief executive Harry Zakour says he was shocked by Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after the Black Stars endured their worst qualifying campaign in more than two decades.
Ghana finished bottom of their qualifying group after six matches, collecting only three points from three defeats and three draws.
The result brought an end to the Black Stars’ run of consecutive appearances at the continental tournament, which had lasted for more than 20 years. It was also the first time the four-time African champions had failed to reach the Africa Cup of Nations in over two decades.
Zakour, regarded as one of the most decorated chief executives in Ghanaian football history, said the outcome had surprised him.
“Ghana failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was shocking,” he told Sporty FM.
Ghana’s campaign ended without a victory, with three defeats and three draws leaving them at the foot of their group. The failure represented a significant setback for a side that had been a regular presence at the Africa Cup of Nations for more than 20 years.
The Black Stars have, however, secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
They subsequently reached the knockout phase of the tournament for the first time since their historic quarter-final appearance at the 2010 World Cup.
That 2010 run remains Ghana’s best performance at the World Cup, while their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations marked a major change in their recent continental record.
Attention will now turn to the next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Ghana are expected to reassemble in September to begin their preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Zakour’s comments underline the scale of the disappointment surrounding Ghana’s absence from the 2025 tournament. The Black Stars had been among the established teams in African football, but their three-point return left them unable to continue their long sequence of appearances.
Despite the disappointment, qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup provides Ghana with another major international target. The team’s progress to the knockout phase of that tournament has also offered a positive development following their failure to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars will now seek to rebuild their campaign when they return in September, with qualification for the 2027 AFCON the next objective.
