AFCON 2025
AFCON 2025 : Five things we learned as Ghana draw 1-1 against Niger
The team lost at home against Angola as if that was not enough they shared the spoils against the 125th-placed Niger side at Berkane, Morocco.
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The results show that the BlackStars picked a point and third on the log from two games.
In the two games I have watched the BlackStars play I have penned down a few pointers from them.
A Spineless team
Let me borrow the profound political words of Dr. Mahammud Bawumia, who remarked some years ago that “if the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you” statement. Similarly, any team that thrives, trumps, dominates, and wins laurels has a foundation base on which they achieve those set objectives in the short-term, medium, or long-term. Coach Otto Addo’s second coming hasn’t given well-meaning Ghanaians who adore the BlackStars he is the right man for the job. Tactically, his team has no spine, pattern, or structure to which they play and that hasn’t inspired hope and belief in the once giants of African football.
Creativity Gap
When the lineup was announced an hour before the proceedings, it was evident that two changes had been made to it. The squad lineup saw two new faces Majeed Ashimeru and Inaki Williams introduced for Elisha Owusu and Jordan Ayew. The idea behind these tactics was to aid the team create chances, possessing and penetrating their opposition more. The likes of Kudus, Ashimeru, and Partey blessed with the abilities to make something out of nothing were bestowed with those mandates. Kudus has 4 shots, missed 3 big chances, and assisted Alidu Seidu’s goal, Partey’s on the hand was nothing bar desirable, Goals (0), Scoring frequency (0 min), Goals per game (0.0), Shots per game (0.0), Shots on target per game (0.0) Big chances missed (0). An Achilles heel that needs a panacea.
Lack of Urgency
I watched the two games the Black Stars played against Angola and Niger and one thing I kept asking myself and the many gathered was if they enjoyed the team play. The growing discontent centered on the lack of urgency with the way the boys strolled the ball on the field. Largely, it was as though, they were training amongst themselves. The kind of forward passes you would expect, from defense, and midfielders to the attackers was non-existent. A series of sideways passes, under-hit or over-hit passes, was the pattern of the game much to the frustration of the fans at the stadiums and beyond. The boys may not understand the mantle on the leads, a rude awakening of this subpar performance should weigh heavily on their heads as they journey to their various clubs and labor to slumber in their beds at night.
Loss of Concentration
In yet another game we concede at the dearth of it. What is happening to our beloved Black Stars? I recount the memories of our AFCON 2023 quest. In our opening fixture against Cape Verde, we conceded in the 91st minute, in our 2-2 draw with Egypt, we conceded in the 76th minute and then in our final group game against Mozambique, we conceded in the 91st and 94th minutes respectively. Moving on, we played Nigeria in a friendly game, and we conceded in the 85th minute, Uganda beat us in the 84th minute then against C.A.R. in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers we conceded our final goal in the 91st. In the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Angola at the Baba Yara conceded in the 93rd minute and 80th minute against Niger. This trend of concessions of goals is worrisome and it beats my imagination if there are well-thought game management tactics and instructions that are relayed to our boys. Otto has to be up and doing.
Revisit the Basics
One thing we have lost sight of is the fact that we have discarded what used to work for us some gloriously years ago. In past times, we relied heavily on the grassroots as a production hub to feed our main national team setups. I remember years past, when Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, John Painstil, Derek Boateng, Laryea Kingson, and Asamoah Gyan served as the fulcrum of the BlackStars for a prolonged number of years. This team aided the BlackStars to two World Cups (Germany & South Africa), two AFCON second places, and a 3rd place in the last decade but sadly there has been a slide in our fortunes, ousted in the round of 16 in 2019, two group stage exits in 2021 & 2023. These trends have culminated in heightened pressure on how football has been managed in the last decade.
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The onus lies on Otto Addo, the technical team, management body to give the playing body the needed support to overturn the dire situation they find themselves in with four games yet to play for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Morocco national football team have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of their final defeat to Senegal national football team following a controversial incident during the match.
Senegal had initially been crowned champions after edging Morocco 1-0 in the final played on January 18. The match, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic moment late in regulation time when Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score still level.
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In protest, Senegalese players briefly left the pitch, halting proceedings for about 17 minutes. After intervention, they returned to continue the match. Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved. The game eventually went into extra time, where Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal for Senegal.
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Following the match, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an official protest, which CAF later confirmed was admissible and subsequently upheld after a detailed review.
In its ruling, CAF stated that Senegal, “through the conduct of its team,” breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. The governing body further noted that this violation triggered the application of Article 84.
According to Article 82, any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s approval is considered to have lost the match and is subject to elimination. Article 84 reinforces this by stipulating that such a team forfeits the match and it is awarded as a 3-0 victory to the opposing side.
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Based on these provisions, CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the final, with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 win in favour of Morocco.
The decision brings a dramatic and controversial end to the tournament, with Morocco now confirmed as AFCON 2025 champions following one of the most disputed finals in recent memory.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced its decision to appeal disciplinary sanctions handed down by the Confederation of African Football in the final against Senegal.
Morocco lost in extra-time through Papa Gueye goal but there was a 14-minute stoppage disruption followed a walk-off by Senegalese players after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala disallowed their goal and subsequently awarded Morocco a penalty, triggering a pitch invasion by supporters and confrontations involving players and match officials.
In the end, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee imposed heavy sanctions, including a five-match ban and a $100,000 fine on Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. Senegal’s football federation was also fined $615,000 for the conduct of players and fans, while Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr received two-match bans for unsporting behaviour toward the referee.
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Morocco were not spared. CAF rejected their request to overturn the match result and imposed fines totalling $315,000, citing misconduct by players, staff, and supporters. Captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match ban, one suspended for a year, while Ismael Saibari was banned for three games, following an incident involving Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
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The FRMF said they will appeal the sanctions.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) following incidents that occurred during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement published on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, CAF confirmed that its Disciplinary Board reviewed reports from the final and found multiple violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code involving players, officials, and supporters from both nations.
READ MORE : CAF Hands Heavy Sanctions to Senegal and Morocco After AFCON 2025 Final Incidents
Sanctions Against Senegal
The CAF Disciplinary Board issued several punishments to the Senegalese Football Federation, targeting both individuals and the federation itself.
Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was handed a five-match suspension from official CAF competitions for unsporting conduct deemed to have brought the game into disrepute. He was also fined USD 100,000.
Two Senegalese players, Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two CAF matches for unsporting behaviour directed at match officials.
CAF further fined the FSF a total of USD 615,000, broken down into penalties for improper supporter conduct, unsporting behaviour by players and technical staff, and team misconduct following the accumulation of five cautions during the match.
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Sanctions Against Morocco
The Moroccan Football Federation was also sanctioned following a series of incidents during the final.
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a probationary period of one year, for unsporting behaviour. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three CAF matches and fined USD 100,000.
CAF imposed additional fines on the FRMF, including USD 200,000 for the inappropriate conduct of stadium ball boys, USD 100,000 for the invasion of the VAR review area by players and officials, and USD 15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters.
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Protest Rejected
CAF also addressed a formal protest submitted by the Moroccan Football Federation, which alleged violations by Senegal under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations. After review, the Disciplinary Board rejected the protest, ruling that it lacked sufficient grounds.
The sanctions underscore CAF’s commitment to enforcing discipline, fair play, and integrity, particularly during high-profile matches such as the Africa Cup of Nations final.
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