Sports Mole previews Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Ghana and Niger, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
A desolate feeling of sadness during the qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 Ghana side draw the curtains in Group F when they host Niger on Monday.
With the home side’s fate already sealed, the Mena travel to the Accra Sports Stadium where they will need all three points, as well as favorable results in the other group match, as they make a last-ditch bid for a place in Morocco.
Match example
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It was a heartbreaking end to Ghana’s dreams of reaching the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Angola drew 1-1 at the Estadio 11 de Novembro on Friday.
Leicester City man Jordan Ayew gave Ghana a dream start to the match when he scored a long-range free-kick to give them a first-half lead, but Angola hit back in the 64th minute. Zini for a share of the loot to keep the hearts of the two-time African champions beating.
The standoff with Angola is leaving Otto Addo‘s men without a win in their five matches in Group F, losing twice and claiming three draws as they sit bottom in the standings, four points behind second-placed Sudan.
This will be the first time in the last two decades that the Black Stars will miss the Africa Cup of Nations, a streak dating back to 2004 when they failed to secure a place in Tunisia.
Ghana’s mediocre qualifying campaign has been largely down to problems on the attacking side of the pitch, where they have only scored two goals so far despite their good and talented squad.
Niger, on the other hand, picked up three big points in their late quest for a place in Morocco as they defeated 4-0 at the Stade de Kegue on Thursday.
With elimination staring them in the face, goals away Youssouf Oumarou, Ousseni Badamassi and a first-half brace from Kryvba’s striker Daniel Sosa inspired the Mena to a comfortable victory while keeping their hopes of qualification alive.
Niger had failed to win any of their previous four matches in Group F, claiming one draw and losing three, including consecutive defeats to Angola in the October double-header.
Zaki Badou‘s men, who are 131st in the latest FIFA World Rankings, have collected four points from a possible 15 and now sit third in the Group F standings, three points behind second-place Sudan, albeit with a bigger goal difference (+2) .
However, Niger faces the formidable challenge of taking on Ghana, who are undefeated in 13 of the last 15 meetings between the two countries, claiming 11 wins and two draws since February 1969.
Ghana Africa Cup of Nations Qualification Form:
Ghana form (all competitions):
Niger Africa Cup of Nations Qualification format:
Niger form (all competitions):
Team news
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Abdul Fatawu Issahaku was knocked off injured at half-time against Angola on Thursday and the 20-year-old forward will return to Leicester City on Sunday.
Fellow Leicester striker Ayew suffered a knee problem in the aforementioned match Gideon Mensah And Alidu Seidu are excluded due to fitness issues.
A dominant win against Sudan could see Badou name a similar Niger XI this weekend, with 26-year-old Sosah once again leading the attack.
He should be joined by in the final third Kairou Amoustapha And Boubacar Hainikoyewhile we could see Badamassi Oumaroun and Sheriff Tiraspol-man Ali Mohammed in midfield for the second game in a row.
We expect Abdoul Garba, Abdoulaye Boureima Katkore, Oumar Sako, Abdel Rahim Alhassane to maintain their role on the defensive side of the pitch, with Mahamadou Djibo start again in the goal.
Possible starting line-up for Ghana:
Nurudeen; Mensah, Simpson, Seidu, Schindler; Sulemana, Owusu, Baidoo; Annan, Königsdorffer, Naumah
Possible starting line-up Niger:
Djibo; Garba, Katkore, Sako, Alhassane; Oumarou, Badamassi, Mohamed; Hainikoye, Sosah, Amoustapha
We say: Ghana 2-0 Niger
Although it has been a forgettable qualifying trip for Ghana, they will look to end the season on a strong note and avoid failing to win any of their six Group F matches.
The stakes are high for Niger and while we expect them to go all out at the Accra Sports Stadium, we predict the Black Stars will come away with all three points in front of the home fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.
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