AFCON2025Q: Kwesi-Appiah's Sudan sends the Black Stars into a black hole
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 15.10.24. | 18:39
After today's two-nil loss, Ghanaians are painfully far from their goal which is attending the continental tournament in Morocco next year
After facing each other five days ago and sharing points in a goalless draw - Sudan and Ghana had another head-to-head clash this afternoon in Benghazi, Libya at Martyrs of February Stadium. Only this time - there were goals and both of those were in the Black Stars' net!
Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah led the Falcons of Jediane to a massive win against the favourites, with goals from Ahmed Hamed Mahmoud "Al-Tash" and Mohamed Abdel Rahman in the span of only four minutes.
The artificial surface at the pitch in Benghazi could have contributed to the fact that the Ghanaians seemed out of place most of the match. Otto Addo's men did start on a strong note but the intensity of their chances died down soon after.
In the fourth minute, Gideon Mensah received a pass inside the box and shot powerfully towards goal, but Sudan's defenders managed to block it in time, preventing an early lead for the Black Stars.
Four minutes later, a chance for Sudan as Mohamed Abdel Rahman received a pass from Abdelrahman Kuku and shot strongly low from distance, but goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi stretched to deflect the shot and clear the danger.
Another four minutes passed and Ghana tried again, this time from a set piece. Mohamed Kudus took a free kick he earned but sent the ball just over the goal. Few minutes later, the Sudanese had a huge opportunity when Abobaker Eisa took an effort from the left side but was narrowly denied Ati-Zigi.
Sudan 🇸🇩 picks up a massive 2-0 win over Ghana 🇬🇭 to put themselves in a great position to qualify for AFCON.
— We Global Football (@We_Global) October 15, 2024
Ghana’s 🇬🇭 fate is just about sealed. They need 2 wins and 2 Sudan losses. At this point we give it over a 97% chance Ghana misses AFCON for the first time since 2004.
Soon after, Walieldin Khidir sent the ball over the Ghanaian goal from inside the box and the outcome was the same when Inaki Williams headed the ball inaccurately from the Sudanese box.
Teams continued to exchange chances - Antoine Semenyo had one in the 25th minute, sending the ball wide, while Abuaagla Abdalla tried for Sudan three minutes later but sent the ball high over the bar.
Even with nine out of 11 first-team players playing in clubs in the top five European leagues, Ghana failed to impose itself as favourites in this clash with Sudan.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were literally uneventful, but then an explosion of 'home-crowd's' emotions occurred. In the 62nd minute, Al-Tash changed the graphics on the scoreboard - Saifeldin Bakhit withheld pressure from Ghana's defenders, sent a ball that stopped in front of the goal line. Al-Tash followed it all intently and sent the ball inside the Ghanaian net.
It did not take long before the Kwesi-Appiah's squad had a two-goal lead. Abdel Rahman scored from a lovely half-counter in the 65th minute, receiving a long pass from Ahmed Yousif, outrunning Alidu Seidu, and sending the ball low past Ati-Zigi.
Sudan 🇸🇩 have taken the lead!
— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) October 15, 2024
A counter attack is flicked into the path of Seif Teiri whose attempt leads to a furious scramble before Ahmed Al-Tash finishes!
1-0 Sudan 🇸🇩 through 63 minutes. Ghana’s #AFCON2025 hopes are on life support if the result holds.#AFCONQ2025 #AFCON pic.twitter.com/C9mN1vtLyA
Sudan 🇸🇩 double the lead!
— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) October 15, 2024
Ahmed Yousif with an excellent pass to Sudan star Mohamed Abdelraman who finishes to make it 2-0 over Ghana 🇬🇭!
Disaster strikes for the Black Stars.#AFCONQ2025 #AFCON #BlackStars #CAN2025 pic.twitter.com/oRaVjBlvTm
After the 70th minute, Ghana attempted to shift the game's momentum into Sudan's half but without significant danger. Inaki volleyed from about 15 meters in the 76th minute but the ball went wide of Sudan's goalkeeper Mohamed Mustafa's left post.
In the 80th minute, Kwesi Appiah substituted both goal scorers, which received standing ovations from the stands. Then, a festival of Sudanese time-wasting and Ghanaian yellow cards started. It didn't make much of a difference, and the Falcons of Jediane placed themselves only two points behind dominant Angola in Group F.
This defeat most likely signed the farewell papers to Otto Addo and only a miracle can send the Black Stars to the next year's Cup of Nations.
This is what Sudan’s officials saw on the pitch after Ghana’s training at the Benghazi stadium.
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) October 14, 2024
The Sudan Football Association have informed Libyan authorities and CAF’s team as well. #AFCONQ2025 #AFCONwithMicky pic.twitter.com/4LCg0DMjWv
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - QUALIFIERS
Tuesday
Chad - Zambia 0-1 (0-0)
/Musonda 70/
Lesotho - Gabon 0-2 (0-0)
/Babicka 55, Effaghe 84/
Malawi - Senegal 0-1 (0-0)
/Mane 90+6/
South Sudan - Uganda 1-2 (1-1)
/Juma 21 - Omedi 15, Leku 66 og/
Sudan - Ghana 2-0 (0-0)
/Al-Tash 62, Abdel Rahman 65/
Tanzania - Dr Congo 0-2 (0-0)
/Elia 88, 90+4/
19.00: (3.80) Botswana (2.90) Cape Verde (2.05)
19.00: (5.70) Congo (3.60) S.Africa (1.67)
19.00: (4.30) Guinea B. (3.25) Mali (1.85)
19.00: (5.30) Mauritania (3.40) Egypt (1.67)
19.00: (6.75) Niger (3.45) Angola (1.55)
19.00: (2.65) Rwanda (2.90) Benin (2.80)
19.00: (13.0) Sierra Leone (5.50) Ivory Coast (1.22)
22.00: (22.0) Cental African Republic (10.5) Morocco (1.10)
22.00: (6.25) Comores (3.50) Tunisia (1.65)
22.00: (7.25) Ethiopia (3.60) Guinea (1.50)
***odds are subject to change***
