On Monday, Niger and Ghana will both be aiming for their first win in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face off at the Stade Municipal de Berkane.
Ghana started their campaign with an unexpected home loss to Angola last Thursday, while Niger fell 1-0 to Sudan in their opening match of the qualifiers. In a tight game at the Juba Stadium, Abo Eisa scored the only goal in the 51st minute to give Sudan the win.
Niger, currently ranked 125th in the FIFA World Rankings, have struggled recently, losing eight of their last nine competitive matches. This poor run has left them in third place in their World Cup qualifying group.
As they look to turn their fortunes around, they’ll be up against a Ghana side that has been strong in recent years. The Black Stars are unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 matches, with 11 wins and one draw since February 1969.
Niger's last Africa Cup of Nations appearance was in 2013 in South Africa, where they failed to advance past the group stage, finishing at the bottom of their group with just one point.
Meanwhile, Ghana's long unbeaten streak at Kumasi's Baba Yara Sports Stadium ended on Thursday with a 1-0 loss to Angola. Milson scored a dramatic late winner in stoppage time, ending Ghana's run of four unbeaten competitive matches, which included wins over Mali and the Central African Republic in World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana head coach Otto Addo will be eager for his team to bounce back and get their qualifying campaign back on track. Despite their recent setback, Ghana has been strong away from home, with four wins and one draw in their last six competitive away games, barring a narrow defeat to Comoros in November 2023.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Despite their loss to Sudan, Niger is likely to stick with the same starting lineup on Monday. Expect to see Abdel Rahim Alhassane, Abdoulaye Boureima Katore, Philippe Boueye, and Najeeb Yakubu in the back four once again.
Up front, Daniel Sosah, who has scored four goals in 19 appearances since his debut in October 2021, should lead the attack. Yusif Moussa, Ousmane Diabate, and captain Youssouf Oumarou are also set to keep their spots in midfield.
For Ghana, we can anticipate that the Premier League quartet of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, and Jordan Ayew will spearhead the attack.
Captain Thomas Partey, who has played every game for Arsenal so far this season, is expected to remain a key figure in midfield alongside Elisha Owusu, who made his debut in March 2022.
The defense should include Alidu Seidu, Mohammed Salisu, Abdul Mumin, and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, all of whom will be tasked with protecting Lawrence Ati in goal.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Niger possible starting lineup:
Hainikoye; Alhassane, Katore, Boueye, Yakubu; Oumarou, Moussa, Diabate; Abraham, Sosah, Goumey
Ghana possible starting lineup:
Ati; Seidu, Salisu, Mumin, Lamptey; Partey, Owusu; Issahaku, Kudus, Semenyo; Ayew
EXPERT PREDICTION
Niger 0-1 Ghana
On paper, Ghana has the edge with a more experienced and talented squad, so we’re predicting they’ll edge out Niger and claim all three points, though it’s likely to be a close game.
