Niger head coach Badou Zaki has revealed the key factors that motivated his side to secure a 2-1 victory over Ghana in their final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
In a post-match interview, Zaki explained that his team approached the game with a heightened sense of confidence, particularly after analyzing Ghana's recent performances in various competitions.
"We knew that the Ghanaian team could score, but they also conceded goals. From our last AFCON experience, we understood this, and after our 4-0 win over Sudan, we believed that beating Ghana was possible," Zaki said following the victory.
He also acknowledged the challenges his players faced, particularly in terms of their amateur status and the logistical issues surrounding travel. Many of Niger's players are amateurs, and some had to endure long journeys to reach the match.
"Most of my players are amateurs, and those based outside of Niger had to travel for up to eighteen hours before arriving just a day before the game," Zaki explained.
Additionally, Zaki highlighted the difficulties his team encountered with travel logistics, adding, "Our flights were often delayed, even for short distances like Lomé to Accra. Having more efficient travel options would certainly have made things easier."
The win over Ghana secured Niger third place in Group F with 7 points. However, despite the victory, Niger's qualification hopes were dashed, as they failed to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
