The Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has described the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a painful blow.
Speaking on Sporty FM on Tuesday, Asante Twum reflected on the disappointment of missing out on the continental showpiece for the first time in 20 years.
“It’s a mixed feeling to miss out on AFCON qualification, especially when teams like Botswana are there. It felt very painful,” he admitted.
The AFCON draw took place in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, January 27, with Ghana notably absent from the list of 24 qualifying teams. The Black Stars failed to advance from their qualifying group, marking a significant setback for the four-time African champions.
Asante Twum, however, defended the GFA’s decision to retain head coach Otto Addo despite growing criticism. He noted that Ghanaians were forewarned about the challenges that could arise from Addo’s appointment.
“Based on results, one can easily conclude Otto Addo shouldn’t be there. But before his appointment, it was made clear that there would be tough times,” Asante Twum explained.
With the 2025 AFCON no longer on the horizon, Ghana will now shift focus to the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, set to resume in March.
