Kwasi Sibo explains Black Stars’ 2025 AFCON qualification failure

Black Stars

Real Oviedo midfielder Kwasi Sibo believes a lack of team cohesion and excessive individualism were key factors behind the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana, a four-time African champion, failed to secure a spot in the continental showpiece for the first time in 20 years, finishing bottom of their qualifying group with three draws and three defeats from six matches.

  • Kwasi Sibo

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, the 27-year-old Sibo pointed to the team’s disjointed play during the qualifiers as a major reason for the disappointment.

“I watched the qualifiers, and what I realised was that there was too much individuality, unlike the World Cup qualifiers,” Sibo said.

“You can see the bond and love among the players now for the World Cup qualifiers, but during the AFCON qualifiers, we did not see that,” he added.

Despite the disappointment of 2024, the Black Stars have started 2025 on a stronger note.

The team recorded back-to-back victories against Chad and Madagascar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and went on to finish third at the Unity Cup held in London.

The national team will reconvene in September for Matchdays 7 and 8 of the World Cup qualifying campaign, where they are set to face Chad and Mali.

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