Former Black Stars defender Shilla Illiasu has expressed deep disappointment following Ghana's 2-0 loss to Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The match, which took place at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, has left the national team precariously close to missing out on the tournament in Morocco next year.

In an interview with Citi Sports, Illiasu stressed the importance of establishing a long-term sustainable development plan for the national team.

He criticized the current approach, which focuses on short-term strategies aimed at immediate qualifications for major tournaments like the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“If you look at the support the GFA and government give to the Black Stars, compared to the other national teams, it’s unbelievable. And still, we find it very difficult to win games,” he lamented.

He acknowledged the missed opportunities in their previous encounter with Sudan, a goalless draw in Accra, stating, “Fine, we created chances; we didn’t utilize them. But what I saw, honestly, I was very, very disappointed.”

Currently, Ghana sits third in Group F with just two points from four matches, and the prospect of not qualifying for the AFCON for the first time in 20 years looms large.

The Black Stars are set to return to action in November, facing Niger and Angola in their final two qualifying matches.