Late Sako leveller denies Ghana victory

Ghana experienced more disappointment after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Niger in the sound round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying at the Stade Municipal de Berkane on Monday, September 9.

Otto Addo's side were good value for their lead 1-0 at the break as Alidu Seidu scored his first goal for the national team on 44 minutes, but they were undone nine minutes from time when Oumar Sako bagged an unlikely equaliser for the Menas.

The visitors showed their intent from the get-go and created the first chance after just three minutes when Abdul Fatawu whipped in a cross for Mohammed Kudus, whose header was comfortably saved by Abiboulaye Hainikoye.

Ghana went on to enjoy plenty of the ball in the first half and they continued to push for the opening goal, although the Menas launched a few attacks of their own without testing Lawrence Ati-Zigi with any of their shots.

The Black Stars eventually made the deserved breakthrough just before halftime as Seidu beat Hainikoye with a scorching effort on 44 minutes to register his first international goal.

Hainikoye kept the hosts in the game with two saves early in the second half, denying Kudus on 50 minutes following good work from Inaki Williams to set him up in the box and then producing more heroics to keep out the Athletic Bilbao forward 11 minutes later.

Those interventions proved crucial when Sako brought Ezzaki Badou's side back on level terms in the 81st minute, with Moussa Moudou making an impact off the bench after providing the assist.

Ghana will now look ahead to their clash with Sudan on October 7 in a bid to get their Afcon 2025 qualifying campaign going.

Niger (0) 1 (Sako 81')

Ghana (1) 1 (Seidu 44')

NIGER: A. Hainikoye, N. Yakubu (A. Kassali 90'), B. Katkore, O. Sako, R. Alhassane, O. Diabate (M. Moudou 64'), Y. Oumarou, Y. Moussa (A. Garba 64'), A. Hassane, B. Hainikoye (B. Goumey 74'), D. Sosah.

GHANA: L. Ati-Zigi, T. Lamptey, A. Mumin, M. Salisu, A. Seidu, M. Ashimeru (E. Owusu 71'), T. Partey, A. Fatawu (B. Thomas-Asante 71'), M. Kudus, A. Semenyo, I. Williams (J. Ayew 71').