The axiom time is a revealer of all issues, nonetheless holds true.
Among the copious Ghanaian Akan values is one generally known as “Sankofa,” which accurately interprets as go ‘back and take it up.’ Playing out earlier than our eyes in a technique or one other is the Black Stars wanting to return to their very own and ask for a favor.
The Black Stars are in dire want of an answer and a savior to be able to keep away from the embarrassment of not making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
As issues stand, the crew faces an awesome likelihood of not qualifying for the match. The odds are towards them and the chances level to elimination, however amidst all this can be a glimmer of hope; a final various Ghana wish to exploit.
For a second, lay apart the feedback of Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, who boldly claimed “none of these Niger players were going to make the cut for his team” whereas berating the Black Stars gamers forward of their double-header towards Sudan.
A degree from their subsequent two video games will imply Sudan qualify for the AFCON on the expense of Ghana. How can this inevitable actuality not truly occur?
Ghana’s hopes now lie elsewhere after failing to take advantage of their possibilities whereas they’d it inside their attain.
The Black Stars misplaced their first AFCON qualifier 1-0 to Angola earlier than, moderately surprisingly, dropping two factors towards the whipping boys of the group Niger and dropping and drawing towards Sudan.
So much is on the road on the day for Ghana. Since Jimmy Gatete broke Ghanaian hearts within the 2003 AFCON qualifiers, there’s arguably not been a darker day on the horizon in Ghana soccer.
However, three males – Najeeb Yakubu, Daniel Sosah, and Yusif Moussa – who had been on the fore to guide Niger in its mass destruction of Ghana, and have Ghanaian heritage, shall be wanted to produce the products.
Ghana-Niger bandwagon
Seven years in the past, on the U-17 World Cup in India, right-back Najeeb Yakubu tip-toed his means onto the sphere as a Black Starlets participant, representing Ghana on the youth degree.
Eric Ayiah, Danlad Ibrahim, and Mohammed Kudus had been his then teammates. The dream of the younger lads on the time was to return by way of the ranks and play an integral position for the Black Stars.
Seven years on and solely Mohammed Kudus has been capable of reside out his dream, taking part in constantly for the Black Stars in a talismanic position.
However, Najeeb Yakubu was agonizingly near representing the Black Stars in 2021. Ahead of Ghana’s 2021 AFCON qualifier towards Sudan, C.Ok Akonnor, Ghana’s coach on the time, had the younger Najeeb shortlisted among the many gamers able to be known as up.
That, nevertheless, didn’t materialize as his call-up was by no means forthcoming.
Daniel Sosah, one among Niger’s deadly attacking weapons, can also be a Ghanaian. Born to a Ghanaian mom and a Beninois father, he opted to naturalize for Niger moderately than wait an eternity for an unrealistic Black Stars call-up.
And, towards Ghana within the first sport, he took the life out of the Black Stars’ defence along with his runs and attacking impetus.
The closing expatriate within the present Niger squad who dazzled when Ghana confronted Niger was combative midfielder Yusif Moussa. Slightly totally different, regarding the aforementioned, Moussa was born and raised in Ghana, Nima, earlier than he was unearthed by Nigerien scouts.
Upon his discovery, he moved to Niger to find extra alternatives, resulting in his change of allegiance to Niger. He has been with the Niger senior aspect for seven years and goes ever stronger.
In truth, the historical past of Niger’s soccer construction has a tinge of Ghana written throughout it. The nation’s all-time prime scorer Victorien Adebayor was a family identify in Ghana soccer between 2018 and 2021, ripping defences into shreds within the Ghana Premier League for Inter Allies and Legon Cities.
With an attacker -Sosa- a defender -Najeeb Yakubu- and a midfielder -Moussa- Ghana will hope Niger come out on prime of the tussle with former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah on Thursday within the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
Notable mentions within the Ghana-Niger hyperlink additionally embrace Salim Abubakar, who was born in Accra in 2003 and has featured for Niger since 2023.
Kofi Dankwa was one other participant who was born and raised in Ghana and was an everyday fixture for Niger, notably on the 2012 AFCON – and is amongst Niger’s most capped gamers. West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) graduate Emmanuel Wonkoyi can also be part of the ever-growing listing.
