As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign draws to a close, Ghana will host Niger on Monday in a dead-rubber fixture, with the Black Stars already eliminated from contention.

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Otto Addo’s side have endured a dismal qualifying run, picking up just four points from their five matches in Group F. A 1-1 draw against Angola in their last outing condemned Ghana to their first failure to reach the AFCON in over two decades.

The home side’s attacking woes have been a key factor in their downfall, with the two-time African champions managing just two goals so far.

Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew scored a free-kick against Angola, but they were pegged back late on to share the spoils.

Ghana’s last five AFCON qualifying results:
L 1-0 vs Angola
D 1-1 vs Angola
D 0-0 vs Sudan
L 2-0 vs Sudan
D 0-0 vs Niger

With no chance of making it to the finals in Morocco, Monday’s clash at the Accra Sports Stadium will be a mere formality for the Black Stars.

However, they will be keen to avoid the embarrassment of failing to win any of their six group stage matches.

Meanwhile, Niger still harbor slim hopes of snatching a place in the AFCON, sitting third in the group, three points behind Sudan.

The Mena picked up a crucial 4-0 win over Sudan in their last outing, with Youssouf Oumarou, Ousseni Badamassi and a brace from Daniel Sosah inspiring the victory.

Niger’s last five AFCON qualifying results:
L 2-0 vs Angola
D 0-0 vs Ghana
L 1-0 vs Angola
L 2-1 vs Sudan
W 4-0 vs Sudan

Despite their slim hopes, Niger face a daunting task against a Ghana side that has dominated the fixture in recent years.

The Black Stars are unbeaten in 13 of the last 15 meetings between the two nations, winning 11 and drawing two since 1969.

Team News:

Ghana will be without the injured trio of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Jordan Ayew and Gideon Mensah for the clash.

Niger, on the other hand, are expected to field a similar lineup to the one that thrashed Sudan, with Sosah leading the line.

Predicted Lineups:

Ghana: 4-3-3

Nurudeen;

Mensah, Simpson, Seidu, Schindler;

Sulemana, Owusu, Baidoo;

Annan, Konigsdorffer, Naumah

Niger: 4-3-3

Djibo;

Garba, Katkore, Sako, Alhassane;

Oumarou, Badamassi, Mohamed;

Hainikoye, Sosah, Amoustapha

Prediction:

Despite their dismal qualifying campaign, Ghana should have enough quality to see off Niger at home. The Black Stars are tipped to claim a 1-0 victory in their final Group F fixture.

• Score Prediction: Ghana 1-0 Niger