Michael Essien urges Ghanaians to move on from 2025 AFCON miss

Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien has urged Ghanaian football fans to move on from the country’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ghana will miss the tournament for the first time in 21 years when 24 of Africa’s top teams gather in Morocco later this year to compete for the prestigious AFCON trophy.

In an interview with Accra-based Sporty FM, Essien expressed doubts about the team’s ability to compete even if they had qualified, and encouraged fans to leave the past behind and focus on the future.

“I would say I was surprised we didn’t make it to the AFCON, but there’s a whole lot going on with the Black Stars.

“It is sad but we have to move on. What has happened has happened, and sometimes it’s better not to qualify than to just add to the numbers.

“If you qualify you have to compete,” Essien said.

Ghana will return to action for the first time since their AFCON qualification disappointment on Friday, as they host Chad in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Ghana are currently tied at the top of the World Cup qualifying table with nine points, alongside Comoros.

The Black Stars continued their training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday in preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

All 23 invited players took part, each vying for a spot in the squad for the two crucial matches.

The team underwent intense drills and exercises aimed at assessing their readiness for the first match on Friday.

The players showcased their commitment and determination, eager to impress both the coaching staff and the fans who filled the stadium to witness the training session.