Former Ghana striker Ibrahim Tanko describes AFCON failure as bug blow

By Lukman MUMIN, Accra

Former Black Stars forward and now coach of Accra Lions Ibrahim Tanko has described Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament as a big blow.

For the first time in 20 years, the four-time African champions will not compete at the continent’s most prestigious tournament.

Ghana shockingly finished at the bottom of Group F without a win, having recorded three draws and three defeats.


“It is very bitter for us and also a big blow for Ghana football because this is the first time in over 20 years that we are not qualifying for the competition,” Tanko told Flashscore.

“It is not good for us, the former players, as well as the Ghana Football Association. We definitely going to feel it.

“In terms of players, we have them. For these games (vs Angola & Niger), some players did not come yet we still had a very good squad to compete.

“Qualification for tournaments have always been easy for Ghana except for this one. The GFA needs to sit down and analyze what is happening, there is no tournament that we have not gone past the group stage, but in recent times, we have not come out from the group stage.”

The Black Stars will now switch their attention to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which resumes in March 2025.