L-R: Jerry Afriyie, Ibrahim Sulemana, Razak Simpson, Manaf Nurudeen
The Black Stars have had the most awful AFCON qualifiers in recent years, falling short in one of the easiest groups in the 2025 qualifiers.
Despite the gloomy adventure, some players would look back on the series and recount joyful memories individually.
They performed admirably and made a compelling argument for inclusion in any future team restructuring.
The players are the winners and the lone bright spots in the Black Stars’ pathetic 2025 AFCON qualification campaign.
Here are the standouts from Ghana’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers:
Patrick Simpson
Nations FC defender Patrick Simpson made his Black Stars debut in a crucial game against Angola.
He delivered a man-of-the-match performance, standing tall and playing flawlessly. His impressive display earned him a second start in the defeat against Niger.
Many Ghanaians believe Simpson should be a regular fixture in the Black Stars squad for future games.
Abdul Manaf Nurudeen
FC Eupen goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen made a strong case to become the Black Stars’ first-choice goalkeeper in the final two games against Angola and Niger.
He was outstanding in both matches, notably saving a penalty against Angola. His performances left an indelible mark and might have solidified his place in the team.
Ibrahim Sulemana
Atlanta midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana was another bright spot amid Ghana’s disappointing campaign.
He was the most consistent player throughout the qualifiers and rarely had an off day.
Sulemana played four games, starting all of them, after missing the first two due to injury.
Jerry Afriyie
Ghana U-20 star Jerry Afriyie showcased his readiness for senior national team football by scoring on his debut against Niger.
In addition to his goal, he contributed to the attacking play that led to a last-minute penalty. However, Mohammed Kudus missed the spot kick, resulting in a 1-2 defeat for Ghana.
Afriyie’s memorable debut may have earned him a spot in the team for future matches, thanks to his excellent cameo against Niger.
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Watch as Otto Addo apologises for Ghana’s failure in 2025 AFCON qualifiers
