Ghana and Senegal are set to be at the center of attention as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying campaign resumes, with crucial Matchdays 3 and 4 taking place over the next week. Both nations are under immense pressure, with Ghana in need of a turnaround and Senegal adjusting to new leadership.
The Black Stars of Ghana, four-time AFCON champions, have had a shaky start in Group F, managing only one point from their first two matches.
After suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Angola and a 1-1 away draw with Niger, head coach Otto Addo faces mounting pressure to deliver results in the upcoming double-header against Sudan.
Ghana will first host Sudan in Accra on Thursday, October 10, before traveling to Benghazi for the reverse fixture on Monday, October 14.
Speaking ahead of the matches, Addo acknowledged the need for improvement.
We have good footballers, better footballers than them [Sudan], so we have to win this game,” he stated confidently.
We are very much aware of their ability and strength, but we have to put everything aside and give our all.”
Adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest is the presence of Ghanaian James Kwesi Appiah on Sudan’s bench.
Appiah, who coached the Black Stars during two separate spells between 2012 and 2020, is well-respected in Ghana.
However, Addo made it clear that sentiment will not be a factor on the day: “We have so much respect for Kwesi Appiah and what he has done for the national team and Ghanaian football.
But on Thursday, we must put all that aside and focus on the game.”
While Ghana finds themselves on the verge of a potential coaching change if results don’t improve, Senegal has already made a managerial shift.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) recently announced they would not be renewing the contract of Aliou Cissé, the coach who led the Teranga Lions to their first-ever AFCON title in 2021.
Despite Cissé’s strong start in Group F, with a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso and a 1-0 win over Burundi, the federation decided it was time for a new direction.
Caretaker coach Pape Thiaw has been tasked with leading Senegal for their back-to-back matches against Malawi.
Thiaw’s first squad selection has already raised eyebrows, with notable absentees including goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and defender Noah Fadiga, who has been in impressive form for Belgian club Gent.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, reigning champions Ivory Coast will face Sierra Leone twice in Group G, while Nigeria take on Libya in Group D.
Meanwhile, North African powerhouses Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria will aim to maintain their perfect records, and Cameroon face off against Kenya in two matches that could determine Group J’s leader.
As the road to AFCON 2025 heats up, all eyes will be on these high-stakes matchups, with Ghana and Senegal facing particularly critical tests in their quest to secure qualification.
