Black Stars 2025 AFCON qualification lowest moment in my life - GFA president Kurt Okraku

Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was the most difficult moment he has experienced in football.

The four-time African champions missed out on the tournament in Morocco after finishing bottom of their qualifying group under former head coach Otto Addo, collecting just three points from six matches with three draws and three defeats.

It marked the first time in more than two decades that Ghana had failed to qualify for the continent's flagship competition.

Reflecting on the disappointment, Okraku said Ghana's absence from the tournament was unacceptable given the country's rich football history.

"Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON was the lowest moment in my life. I believe that Ghana should be present at every AFCON," he told Asempa FM.

The Black Stars have since recovered from that setback and recently reached the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, their best performance at the tournament since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.

Attention has now shifted to securing a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be staged across East Africa.

Ghana will begin their qualifying campaign with a difficult away fixture against Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September before hosting Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.

The Black Stars are determined to return to the continental showpiece after missing out on the 2025 finals, and will conclude the international window with a friendly against Morocco in Tangier on 4 October.