Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, has expressed mixed emotions following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana, a four-time African champion, ended their qualification campaign at the bottom of Group F with only three points from six matches. The team recorded three draws and three losses.
Speaking after the final draw for the 2025 AFCON in Rabat on Monday, Asante Twum reflected on the disappointment, acknowledging that Ghana’s absence from the tournament felt bittersweet.
“After Mali 2002, Ghana missed out on the AFCON in 2004, and since then we have been ever-present, so to miss out this time is a mixed feeling,” he told Sporty FM.
“It is not a good feeling, especially when you have the likes of Botswana, Mozambique, and other countries all qualifying for the tournament.
“When the roll call was made yesterday and Ghana was not part, it was unbearable and very painful because of our pedigree, stature, and history on the continent and in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“At least, if for nothing at all, we have been dominant since 2008, but it is unfortunate that we could not make it this time around,” he added.
Although Ghana won’t be part of the AFCON in Morocco later this year, they will still compete in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with matches against Chad and Madagascar scheduled for March on the fifth and sixth matchdays.