The Accra Sports Stadium will once again host the Black Stars as they face Niger in a decisive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Monday, November 18, 2024. This match holds critical importance for Ghana’s chances of advancing to the 2025 tournament, which will be held in Morocco.

The venue was chosen after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi was unsuitable for hosting international matches.

This will be the second consecutive qualifier played in Accra, following the team's previous game against Sudan at the same venue.

Ghana’s qualification campaign has been disappointing, with the team sitting third in Group F with only two points from four matches. A win against Niger is essential if the Black Stars are to revive their hopes of reaching the tournament.

With Angola leading the group with 10 points and Sudan firmly in second place with seven points, Ghana is running out of opportunities to make a comeback. Victory over Niger would provide a vital lifeline for the Black Stars, but a defeat or draw could end their qualification campaign prematurely.

Pressure on Otto Addo

The poor results have put immense pressure on Coach Otto Addo, who faces increasing scrutiny from fans and critics. A win on November 18 is seen as crucial not only for the team's qualification hopes but also for maintaining stability within the coaching setup.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the group with only one point, Niger is not to be underestimated, as they aim to cause an upset and further dent Ghana’s qualification ambitions. Ghana must be focused and clinical to avoid any slip-ups in this high-stakes encounter.