Burkina Faso forward, Ousseni Bouda expressed his disappointment over Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Black Stars endured a historic setback, finishing last in Group F and failing to win a single game during the qualifiers—a first in the team’s history.
Bouda, who spent four formative years in Ghana with the Right to Dream Academy, acknowledged Ghana’s rich football legacy and shared his dismay at their absence from the prestigious tournament.
“I was following every game and I watched it closely as well. I’m really sad that Ghana is not going to be able to participate. Especially when you think of the history of African football, Ghana has always been a giant, and you sort of expect to see Ghana at every AFCON,” he told Flashscore in an interview.
During his time at the academy, Bouda honed his skills alongside future stars like Mohammed Kudus, Abu Francis, Mohamed Diomande, and Ibrahim Sadiq.
The shared experience not only fostered lifelong friendships but also shaped their collective ambitions.
Reflecting on Ghana’s absence, the 24-year-old forward admitted it would have been special to compete against his former teammates on the continental stage.
“I was really hoping to see Ghana and then maybe hopefully play against some of these guys that I grew up with at Right to Dream. But I know that Ghana would bounce back because there’s a lot of potential and I hope they can figure things out.”
Bouda, now playing for the San Jose Earthquakes, contributed one goal for Burkina Faso during the qualifiers.
He remains optimistic about representing the Stallions in Morocco next December, eager to make an impact at the AFCON.