Ghana hosts Sudan in a crucial AFCON qualifying match amidst struggles for both teams. Ghana aims for its first victory in the campaign after lackluster results, while Sudan looks to recover from a recent defeat. Key players are missing for Ghana due to injuries, but they retain a strong squad history against Sudan, who hope to improve their past performances in Ghana.
Ghana is set to face Sudan in a pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday evening. This encounter comes after a challenging start for the Black Stars, who have yet to secure a win in their qualification campaign. Meanwhile, Sudan is looking to bounce back from their recent loss. After experiencing a rare defeat at home against Angola, where Ghana lost 1-0 and ended their impressive 24-year unbeaten streak at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the team drew 1-1 in their subsequent match against Niger. Although Alidu Seidu gave Ghana an early lead, they could not maintain their advantage, allowing Niger to equalize in the final moments of the game. Currently, Otto Addo’s squad stands at third in Group F with only one point, making their double-header against Sudan crucial. Given their historical success against Sudan at home, the Black Stars will strive to reclaim their form, especially as they look to qualify for their 11th consecutive AFCON. In contrast, Sudan began their qualifying campaign brightly with a 1-0 victory over Niger but suffered a 2-1 defeat to Angola, dismantling their unbeaten streak of four competitive matches that included earlier wins over Congo DR and Mauritania during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Falcons of Jediane occupy second place in the standings with three points, putting them in a favorable position ahead of the matches against Ghana, where they hope to elevate their historical record of performance in Ghana to achieve a more favorable result than the goalless draw in 2010. In terms of team news, Ghana has sustained injuries to key players including Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, Kingsley Schindler, and Osman Ibrahim, leading to the inclusion of replacements such as Abu Francis and Jonas Adjei Adjetey. The anticipated attacking lineup is expected to feature prolific players like Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Abdul Fatawu. Conversely, Sudan welcomes back Eid Moghaddam and Ahmed Peter into their squad, while notable players like Abo Eisa and Mustafa Karshom have already made their mark in the qualifiers. The probable starting formations are as follows: – Ghana: Ati-Zigi; Seidu, Salisu, Mumin, Lamptey; Samed, Ashimeru; Fatawu, Kudus, Semenyo; Ayew. – Sudan: Abou; Agab, Koko, Karshoum, Khamis, Abuaagla, Khidir; Eisa, Omer, Thierry; Abdelrahman. Predictions lean towards a Ghanaian victory, with anticipated final scores suggesting a 2-1 win over Sudan owing to the strong talent within their squad and their historical home advantage.
The upcoming match between Ghana and Sudan forms a significant event in the ongoing qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ghana has a storied football history and has consistently participated in AFCON, making missed qualifications a matter of concern. Sudan, while not as decorated, is striving to assert its presence in African football and capitalize on recent performances. Both teams are currently navigating a challenging qualification path, increasing the stakes of this encounter and providing context for the analysis of their recent performances and team conditions.
In conclusion, the upcoming match between Ghana and Sudan presents a crucial opportunity for both teams in their quest for AFCON qualification. Ghana, despite lacking in early victories, can draw confidence from their footballing history and home record against Sudan. Conversely, Sudan seeks to enhance their performance away from home after recent setbacks. As they prepare for this high-stakes encounter, both sides recognize the importance of securing points with qualification ambitions on the line.
Original Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk
