Ghanaian defender Alexander Djiku is poised to make his return to the national team for the upcoming CAN 2025 qualifiers against Sudan. After missing the first two matches of the campaign due to injury, the Fenerbahçe centre-back is expected to rejoin the Black Stars as they prepare for two must-win encounters against Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan.
Djiku was sidelined during Ghana’s opening qualifiers against Angola and Niger, where the Black Stars struggled to find their footing.
A narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Angola’s Palancras Negras was followed by a 1-1 draw against Niger in Berkane, Morocco.
These results have left Ghana in a difficult position in their group, intensifying the pressure on Otto Addo’s squad as they head into this critical double-header.
Now fully recovered from his injury, Djiku is set to play a pivotal role in the defense as Ghana looks to get their qualification campaign back on track.
With two crucial matches against Sudan looming, the 29-year-old defender is expected to bring stability and leadership to the Black Stars’ backline.
Djiku, who has already made nine appearances for Fenerbahçe this season across all competitions, will be key in shoring up a defense that has been shaky in recent outings.
The first match will take place in Ghana on Friday, October 11, before the team travels to Libya for the return leg.
Both games are seen as make-or-break fixtures for Ghana’s ambitions to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Head coach Otto Addo is under pressure to deliver, with the team yet to secure a win in the qualification campaign.
Djiku’s return is seen as a major boost to Ghana’s hopes, as the experienced defender has proven himself on both the international stage and at the club level.
His presence will be crucial in containing Sudan’s attack and providing the Black Stars with the defensive solidity they need to mount a challenge for victory.
Speaking about the upcoming matches, Addo emphasized the importance of securing six points:
“We know the situation we’re in, and these two games are crucial.
The return of key players like Djiku gives us confidence, but we must be at our best.”
Ghana’s fans will be hoping that Djiku’s return, combined with a renewed sense of urgency within the squad, will be enough to turn their fortunes around.
With the stakes high, the Black Stars are under no illusions about the challenge they face in overcoming Sudan, a team that will also be determined to grab valuable points in the group.
The Nile Crocodiles will be no pushovers, and Ghana will need to bring their best form to secure the wins necessary to keep their AFCON 2025 qualification hopes alive.
For Djiku, the double-header represents an opportunity to reaffirm his importance to the national side, as the Black Stars aim to bounce back from a shaky start and reignite their campaign.
With Ghana’s chances hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on Djiku and his teammates as they take to the field, knowing that anything less than victory could deal a severe blow to their hopes of featuring in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
