Otto Addo: AFCON 2025 qualification still within Ghana's reach despite draw against Niger

Black Stars coach Otto Addo remains confident that Ghana can still qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite a 1-1 draw with Niger on Monday.

The result leaves Ghana five points adrift of Group F leaders Angola after two matches in the qualifying campaign.

Ghana conceded a late equalizer against Niger, compounding the frustration of their earlier 1-0 defeat to Angola. Reflecting on the match, Addo expressed his disappointment: “I’m disappointed we didn’t learn the lessons from the home defeat to Angola, and we need to do better, for sure,” he said.

However, Addo emphasized that Ghana's fate remains in their own hands. "Qualification is still in our own hands, and we can do something about it. We will, however, have to win our remaining games," he added.

Currently, Ghana sits in third place in Group F, two points behind second-placed Sudan. The Black Stars will have a chance to close the gap when they face Sudan twice in October.

The top two teams in each group will secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.

Ghana, a four-time African champion, last missed out on AFCON qualification in 2004, and they will be determined not to repeat that setback.