Sudan’s Coach Attributes Ghana’s AFCON Qualifying Fate to Angola Defeat
Sudan’s assistant coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, stated that Ghana’s loss to Angola in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers marked a turning point for the Black Stars. Despite Ghana’s historical dominance, their inability to recover from this defeat, compounded by the pressure in subsequent matches, ultimately led to their failure to qualify for the tournament they normally excel in. Sudan, on the other hand, advanced successfully under Appiah’s guidance.
Sudan’s assistant coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has identified Ghana’s defeat in their Angola match as a pivotal moment during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Appointed by Kwasi Appiah, the former Ghana coach, Osei-Fosu expressed that the loss in Kumasi to Angola ultimately derailed Ghana’s campaign. Despite being drawn into the same group, Sudan advanced to Morocco while Ghana struggled, earning four points against the Black Stars.
The match against Angola, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Ghana due to a defensive error from Abdul Mumin, stands out as crucial. Osei-Fosu remarked, “Losing in Kumasi to Angola, I think that was the end of the qualifiers for Ghana. Once you lose a home game, it becomes very difficult to recover.” He added that the pressure to win led to a desperate performance in subsequent games, negatively impacting Ghana’s chances of qualification.
In addition, the emotional toll on the coaching staff was evident as they watched the Ghana team to which they held ties falter. The team’s struggles deeply affected them, especially Kwasi Appiah, who holds a position on the Executive Council (ExCo). Osei-Fosu noted that the loss was especially hard for Appiah, given his connection with the Ghanaian football narrative.
The context of Ghana’s performance in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers has been overshadowed by their unexpected struggles. Historically, Ghana has been a strong contender in African football, yet recent results have raised concerns. The group stage, which included matches against Sudan, was critical, as both teams vied for a place in the upcoming tournament. The assistant coach of Sudan, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, brings insight into the repercussions of Ghana’s defeats, highlighting the significance of the Angola match as a turning point in their qualifications.
In conclusion, Ghana’s defeat to Angola has been cited as the decisive moment in their unsuccessful AFCON qualification campaign. Ignatius Osei-Fosu, who is closely connected to both Sudan and Ghanaian football, detailed how the emotional strain and pressures from this loss shaped the subsequent performances of the Black Stars. As the coaching staff navigated through these challenges, the implications were felt deeply, particularly by Kwasi Appiah. With Sudan’s progress to the AFCON, this narrative stands out as a stark contrast to Ghana’s current situation in African football.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
