Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has left a “painful” feeling, according to Henry Asante Twum, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Speaking on Sporty FM on Tuesday, January 28, Asante Twum expressed disappointment at the Black Stars’ absence from the tournament for the first time in 20 years. He admitted that the feeling was particularly hard to digest given that teams like Botswana, who were not traditionally seen as AFCON regulars, managed to secure their spots.

“It’s a mixed feeling, especially when teams like Botswana are there. It felt very painful,” he said.

Ghana’s failure to advance from their qualifying group meant that they missed out on the continental tournament, which will be held in Morocco later this year. The qualification draw, held in Rabat on January 27, revealed which teams would face off against each other, but Ghana was notably absent.

Despite the setback, Asante Twum defended head coach Otto Addo, acknowledging the challenges he faced after his appointment. He emphasized that Ghanaians were made aware that the road ahead would not be easy.

“Before Otto Addo’s appointment, there was an announcement that there will be tough times,” he said. “Based on results, one can easily conclude Otto Addo shouldn’t be there, but we understood the difficulties involved.”

Looking ahead, Ghana now shifts its focus to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, with the next round of qualifiers set for March. The absence from AFCON has only intensified the need for the Black Stars to regain their form on the international stage.

Source:TheDotNews