Niger and Ghana will face off on Monday at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in their second match of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, both looking to bounce back from opening-day defeats.
Ghana, seeking to secure a spot in Morocco, were stunned by a 1-0 home defeat to Angola last Thursday. Meanwhile, Niger suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Sudan, placing both teams under pressure to earn their first points in Group F.
Match Preview: Niger’s qualifying campaign got off to a rocky start with their defeat to Sudan. A 51st-minute goal from former Bradford City midfielder Abo Eisa sealed the win for Sudan in a match where Niger struggled to create chances.
Ranked 125th by FIFA, Niger have now lost eight of their last nine competitive matches, a worrying trend that sees them languishing in third place in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.Head coach Zaki Badou will be eager for his team to find form, but they face a formidable opponent in Ghana.
Niger’s last appearance in AFCON was in 2013, where they exited in the group stage, and they’ll be hoping to qualify this time around.On the other hand, Ghana’s 24-year unbeaten run at Kumasi’s Baba Yara Sports Stadium was ended by Angola last week.
Despite dominating much of the match, a stoppage-time strike from Milson secured a famous victory for the Black Sable Antelopes, leaving the Black Stars in need of a response.
Prior to this loss, Ghana had been in solid form, unbeaten in four straight competitive matches, including key victories in World Cup qualifiers.Ghana, under the leadership of coach Otto Addo, has participated in every AFCON since 2006, and they’ll be determined to rebound and push for qualification to Morocco.
Team NewsNiger are expected to field a largely unchanged side, with their defense anchored by Abdel Rahim Alhassane, Abdoulaye Boureima Katore, and Philippe Boueye.
Striker Daniel Sosah, with four goals in 19 appearances, will lead the attack, supported by Yusif Moussa and captain Youssouf Oumarou in midfield. For Ghana, Premier League stars Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, and Jordan Ayew are expected to lead the offensive effort. Thomas Partey, who has featured regularly for Arsenal this season, will command the midfield alongside Elisha Owusu.
Ghana’s backline will be composed of Alidu Seidu, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Mumin, and Tariq Lamptey, shielding goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Predicted LineupsNiger: Hainikoye; Alhassane, Katore, Boueye, Yakubu; Oumarou, Moussa, Diabate; Abraham, Sosah, GoumeyGhana: Ati-Zigi; Seidu, Salisu, Mumin, Lamptey; Partey, Owusu; Issahaku, Kudus, Semenyo; AyewKickoff TimeThe game will start at exactly 15:00 GMT (3:00 local time)
Prediction: Niger 1-2 GhanaBoth teams will be eager to recover from their opening-day setbacks, and this clash promises to be tightly contested.
While Niger may put up a strong fight, Ghana’s experience and quality should see them edge out a narrow win and claim their first points of the campaign.
