By Ghana’s football scene is buzzing with excitement as the country prepares to host a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier and gears up for participation in the Beach Soccer AFCON. The Black Stars, Ghana’s national team, are set to face Angola’s Sable Antelopes in a pivotal Group F match, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced dates for the Beach Soccer tournament.
The AFCON qualifier between Ghana and Angola is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. The match, kicking off at 4 pm local time, is a crucial step in Ghana’s quest to secure a spot in the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco next year. Following this home game, Otto Addo’s squad will travel to Niger for their second Group F encounter on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Ghana’s Black Stars enter this qualifier on a high note, having remained unbeaten in their last two competitive matches with impressive victories over Mali and Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The team’s performance in these upcoming AFCON qualifiers is particularly significant as Ghana aims to add to their impressive tally of four AFCON titles, won in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982.
In a parallel development, CAF has officially announced the dates for the 2024 Beach Soccer African Cup of Nations. The tournament is set to take place from October 19 to 26, 2024, in the coastal city of Hurghada, Egypt. Ghana’s Beach Soccer team, the Black Sharks, will join seven other nations including Senegal, Mauritania, Malawi, Morocco, Tanzania, Mozambique, and host Egypt in this exciting competition.
Ghana secured their spot in the Beach Soccer AFCON after a convincing 10-5 aggregate victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the qualification stage. The tournament’s significance is heightened by the fact that the finalists will represent Africa in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, scheduled to be held in Seychelles next year.
As both the Black Stars and the Black Sharks prepare for their respective competitions, football enthusiasts in Ghana and across Africa are eagerly anticipating these events. The AFCON qualifier in Kumasi is expected to draw a large crowd, showcasing the passionate support for football in the country. Meanwhile, the Beach Soccer AFCON offers an opportunity for Ghana to make its mark in a growing version of the sport.
