The Black Stars’ struggles in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers persist after being held to a 1-1 draw by Niger on Monday, September 9, 2024.
The result has ignited several talking points among Ghanaians who were disappointed as Ghana completed the first round of the qualifiers without a win.
The Black Stars are now without a win in two games, losing 1-0 to Angola in Kumasi before a 1-1 draw against Niger in Morocco.
The draw against Niger put the team in a complicated situation where they would need to win their next two games to get their campaign back on track.
GhanaWeb puts together five talking points after the match:
Otto Addo under fire
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo received backlash after yet another disappointing result. Some have pointed out that the German-trained gaffer’s second stint is turning out to be the worst run by a Black Stars coach.
He has won two games, lost two games, and drawn two games since assuming office for the second time.
Alidu Seidu praised
Defender Alidu Seidu was the only bright spot in the team and he earned praise for his performance on the afternoon.
Many lauded him, particularly for his cracking goal that gave Ghana the lead.
Black Stars labelled as an average team
Many Ghanaians expressed that the Black Stars are filled with descending names but are collectively average.
The team was not as dominant as some Ghanaians expected after parading a relatively strong line-up.
Defensive lapses
The Black Stars have now conceded 10 goals in nine games. The streak has raised concerns over the team’s defensive shape with some channeling the blame on head coach Otto Addo.
Shock over failure to beat Niger
Many Ghanaians were left in disbelief after learning the Black Stars could not beat Niger.
Niger are regarded as the minnows in the group, hence, many expected the Black Stars to ease past them. Some also could not comprehend the result given that the game was played at a neutral venue after CAF disapproved of Niger’s stadium.
EE/BB
