Ghana dealt another AFCON blow against Niger, Brahim Diaz rescues Morocco

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign for the illustrious Ghanaian team commenced poorly, as they settled for a 1-1 draw against the underdog Niger on Monday, conceding a late goal.

In the Group F encounter held in Berkane, Morocco, both goals were scored by defenders, with Alidu Seidu giving Ghana the lead in the 44th minute, only for Oumar Sako to equalize in the 81st minute.

Meanwhile, in Group B, the top-ranked African nation, Morocco, required 93 minutes to overcome the resilient Lesotho in Agadir, with Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz securing a 1-0 victory.

Lesotho, lacking an international-standard stadium, had been dismissed as unlikely contenders against a team ranked 135 places higher globally. Similarly, Niger faced a similar disadvantage, relocating their match to Morocco due to the absence of a suitable venue.

However, Niger managed to secure a point when Sako scored following a goalmouth scramble after a corner kick. Ghana, still reeling from a surprising 1-0 defeat to Angola in their opening qualifier, initially took the lead through Seidu's deflected shot from the edge of the box.

The inability of the four-time African champions Ghana to secure a victory in either qualifier is perplexing, considering their impressive roster. Five players from the starting lineup against Niger—Tariq Lamptey, Thomas Partey, Issahaku Fatawu, Mohammed Kudus, and Antoine Semenyo—compete in the Premier League.

Jordan Ayew, another Premier League player who started against Angola, was replaced by Inaki Williams from LaLiga's Athletic Bilbao. Of the nine starters against Niger, the majority play in England, Spain, or France, with only goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and midfielder Majeed Ashimeru not affiliated with a top five European league club.

As automatic qualifiers for AFCON 2025, Morocco utilized this opportunity to gain competitive match experience, opting to keep many of their star players on the bench until the early stages of the second half.

Anticipating an unexpected result, coach Walid Regragui made four substitutions in the 56th minute, bringing on Diaz, Youssef En Nesyri, and Hakim Ziyech.

This trio played a pivotal role in securing victory, as Ziyech delivered a cross that En-Nesyri chested back to Diaz, who then scored with a low shot into the corner, outmaneuvering Lesotho's captain and goalkeeper, Sekhoane Moerane.

Former champions Senegal had a lackluster start last week, conceding a last-minute goal that resulted in a 1-1 draw at home against Burkina Faso.

Like Ghana, they were eager to secure all three points in their second match, which they accomplished by narrowly defeating a determined Burundi team 1-0, thanks to a penalty converted by Ismaila Sarr in the 71st minute.

The penalty was contentious, arising from a chaotic clearance that resulted in an injury to Sadio Mane, a two-time African Footballer of the Year and Senegal's key player.

Although Mane wished to take the penalty after receiving treatment, the Egyptian referee required him to temporarily leave the field, allowing Sarr, a recent signing for Crystal Palace, to take the responsibility.

Burundi hosted the Group L match in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, due to the lack of stadiums in the small, landlocked nation that meet international standards.

After exceeding expectations with a draw in South Africa last week, Uganda ascended to the top of Group K by defeating Congo 2-0 in Kampala, with goals from Aziz Kayondo and Jude Ssemugabi.