Black Stars fail to shine against Niger

• Ghana’s Salisu Mohammed (in red)
sandwiched by Niger defenders

The Black Stars of Ghana recorded another disappointing result in the Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifiers, drawing 1-1 with Niger at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco, yesterday.

Ghana opened the scores from an unlikely source, Alidu Seidu, who rifled home from over 25-yards to put behind the disappointment of the loss to Angola on home soil four days ago.

But instead of piling more pressure to secure the lead, a seemingly relaxed Black Stars team got a rude shock when the Nigeriens canceled the lead via an Oumar Sako goal in the 81st minute.

Ghana’s reaction was swift after the equaliser but all effort to restore the lead were dealt with by the impressive Niger defence that kept the Ghana forwards at bay.

It was the Black Stars that started on an impressive note as Abdul Fatawu Issahaku raced down the right and cut in before delivering an inch-perfect cross which Inaki Williams headed into the arms of the Niger goalie, Abiboulaye Younoussa Hainikoye, under a minute.

Niger had the first real chance in the 19th minute when the left winger, Daniel Sosah, broke free from the Ghana defence and delivered a shot which Lawrence Ati-Zigi save but the rebound fell kindly to Boubacar Hainikoye, who missed with his bicycle kick.

The Black Stars survived another counter-attack in the 22nd minute following a break from a Ghana corner kick.

Ghana broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute with a fierce drive from Alidu Seidu to calm nerves of the fans before the break.

Niger pushed more men forward after the restart with Yusif Daouda Moussa and Ousmane Diabaté driving the team forward.

But the Stars bounced back again but had to wait till the 61st minute for the first clear chance in the second half which fell to a hard-pressed Inaki Williams but he missed narrowly despite beating the Nigerien goalie.

Coach Otto Addo introduced Jordan Ayew, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Elisha Owusu on the 70th minute in place of Fatawu Issahaku, Williams and Majeed Ashimeru with the Nigeriens also effecting some substitutions of their own.

The substitutions, however, benefitted the Nigeriens who kept threatening and had a deserved equaliser in the 81st minute as Oumar Sako stabbed home from a goalmouth scramble to break Ghanaian hearts.

BY ANDREW NORTEY