Following a disappointing start to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Ghanaian coach Otto Addo has labeled the upcoming fixtures against Sudan as ‘small finals’ crucial to the team’s qualification hopes.
The Black Stars have endured a challenging campaign so far, suffering a home defeat to Angola and only managing a draw against Niger. These results have left them in third place in Group F, with their next matches scheduled for October.
Ghana’s path to redemption now hinges on overcoming Sudan, a team currently managed by former Ghana international and coach Kwesi Appiah. The Falcons of Jediane started their campaign with a notable win over Niger but fell to a 2-1 defeat against Angola, placing them second in the group with three points.
“Surely it’s [qualification] possible. Everybody who can calculate knows it’s possible,” Otto Addo stated as captured by journalist Micky Jnr on the sidelines of the ongoing CAF Coaches Symposium in Ivory Coast. “We have the advantage, now that we are playing against Sudan front and back, a direct and concrete team, surely we have to beat them.”
Addo drew on his own experience, referencing a past successful ‘small final’ against Nigeria. “These are small finals, I had a small final myself when we were successful against Nigeria.” “I think even though we started badly but Afcon qualification games we still have a bit chance to qualify when we get at least 4 out of the 2 games, yes it’s possible.”
Adding to Ghana’s challenges, the Baba Yara Stadium has been banned due to its subpar condition, leaving the Ghana Football Association in a race against time to propose an alternative venue to CAF.
The upcoming matches will likely be played at a location outside the country, as the association scrambles to finalize arrangements.
