Football
“Niger Will Take Ghana Head On”: Sosah Warns Already Crushed Black Stars
Daniel Sosah warns Ghana’s Black Stars as Niger aims to secure an AFCON 2025 ticket. The striker dismisses emotional distractions, focusing solely on victory in Accra.
FENIFOOT
FC Kryvbas striker Daniel Sosah has sounded a warning to Ghana's Black Stars ahead of their crucial AFCON 2025 Qualifiers showdown in Accra.
Sosah cites Niger's stunning 4-0 victory over Sudan as proof that Group F remains wide open. While, ruling out emotional distractions for players with Ghanaian ties, dismissing concerns about 'tough emotional drama'.
AFCON aficionados are in for an exciting treat as the 2025 African Cup of Nations qualifiers reach their climax on Match Day 6.
With a few groups still up for grabs, Group F remains particularly tantalizing. Angola has already secured its Morocco-bound ticket with 13 points, but Ghana, once the group's favorite, misses out on the 2025 AFCON tournament despite its hard-fought draw in Luanda.
Sudan's hopes, meanwhile, were left in tatters after a dismal performance against Niger in Togo. However, Niger's shock 4-0 victory has thrown the group wide open, making it unwise to count out Coach Badou's men from a last-minute AFCON ticket scramble.
NIGER'S AFCON TICKET PUSH STILL ALIVE
Niger's national team has long faced a daunting challenge: consistently drawing Africa's powerhouse teams due to their FIFA ranking. This hurdle has hindered their quest to qualify for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Historically, Niger struggled to break through, with no AFCON appearances until the 2010s. Although they finally qualified in 2012 and 2013, their journeys ended in disappointing group-stage exits.
Nigerien fans have been spectators to other nations' dominance on the continental stage. However, 26-year-old Sosah remains optimistic. He believes that qualification for the 2025 AFCON could mark the beginning of Niger's ascension.
"We're thrilled to still be in the running for AFCON qualification. Our win against Sudan has given us a lifeline, and we must seize it with utmost seriousness. Ghana's draw against Angola has unexpectedly opened doors for us. Although it's unfortunate for such an elite football nation, I'm excited about our renewed chances." Sosah told SportsBoom.com.
However, facing Ghana in Accra won't be easy. They'll want to salvage pride in front of their fans, and with nothing to lose, they'll play freely. Meanwhile, we desperately need that win.
Daniel Sosah
Explaining further, he mentioned " Our fate also depends on Angola's match against Sudan. A draw would work in our favor. For now, our focus remains on securing the ticket. That's all that matters."
NO PRESSURE SAYS SOSAH
"I don't think there's pressure on us as a team. As professionals, we crave moments like this because it's inevitable. We're absolutely focused on Ghana's game because there's a chance to qualify. We're just determined to do our best and control what we can. We will need to score early against Ghana to ease the pressure a bit," says Sosah.
"We have always experienced these tough moments in most of our qualifiers against some of the continent's very best, but this time we might just be lucky."
Since goal scoring has been one of the major challenges for the team, scoring five and conceding the same, Sosah believes they must fire on all cylinders in the match.
"To be honest, I was very excited scoring the first goal against Sudan; it's been a while since I scored for the national team. It really opened the floodgates for us to score more, and I think playing Ghana won't be an exception.
"We need to be in our best form, and I think we're at that level, which is most important. Everyone is happy - players and fans back home; we can't afford to get off on the wrong foot against Ghana." Sosah remarked, with infectious confidence radiating from his tone.
NO EMOTIONS, REPAYING TRUST
Dual heritage athletes often face emotional quandaries when competing against their ancestral nations. Najeeb Yakubu, a former Ghana youth international defender, knows this dilemma well.
Having played alongside Mohammed Kudus, Yakubu now faces Ghana, his country of birth, for the first time. Maccabi Haifa's dynamic midfielder Mohammed Ali, with roots in Ghana's Volta region, also navigates this complex emotional landscape.
And the story of Ghana-born forward Sosah follows the same pattern, however, he remains resolute.
"Niger's AFCON ticket is our sole priority, nothing else," he asserts from Accra, ahead of the Black Stars showdown.
"I don't want to think about anything else except why we're here," he explained with a smile. "You know it, bro. I think it's key to understand we're professionals. My colleagues and I understand that, and we're here to make the badge we play for very, very proud. The coach and the Niger people have great respect for us, and this is the time to repay their trust."
"Playing against countries with personal ties is tough, but trust me, Niger's AFCON qualification is non-negotiable."
Victor is a skilled broadcast journalist with an in-depth understanding of the sports ecosystem which spans over 8 years. He brings onboard a rich experience, having established himself as one of Ghana's finest lead commentators through major events like the African Games and the Ghana Women's Premier League.