Niger were denied a dream start to their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sudan in Wednesday's Group F opener.

In a cagey affair at the Juba Stadium, former Bradford City midfielder Abo Eisa scored the only goal of the game in the 51st minute to give the Falcons of Jediane a deserved victory on their opening day.

Niger, 125th in the latest FIFA World Ranking, have now lost eight of their last nine matches, a run which has seen them drop to third in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

While Badou's men will be looking to regain their footing and get their qualifying campaign back on track, they will face an opponent who are unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 meetings, with 11 wins and one draw dating back to February 1969.

Niger's last AFCON appearance came in South Africa in 2013, when they were eliminated at the group stage after finishing bottom of Group B with one point from a possible nine.

Elsewhere, Ghana's 24-year unbeaten run at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi came to an end on Thursday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Central African rivals Angola.

Ghana's lack of attacking threat was exposed when Red Star Belgrade striker Milson scored in the third minute of stoppage time to hand the Black Sable Antelopes a famous victory.

Ghana had previously gone unbeaten in four competitive matches, including back-to-back victories over Mali and Central African Republic in World Cup qualifying, and now sit second in Group I on nine points from four games, level on points with leaders Comoros.

Having qualified for the last 10 AFCONs since missing out in 2004, head coach Otto Addo will be hoping his side can put Thursday's disappointment behind them as they look to get their Morocco campaign back on track.

Ghana go into Monday's clash unbeaten in five of their last six away games - four wins and a draw - with a 1-0 defeat to Comoros in November 2023 the exception.

Niger possible starting lineup:

Hainikoye; Alhassane, Katore, Boueye, Yakubu; Oumarou, Moussa, Diabate; Abraham, Sosah, Goumey

Ghana possible starting lineup:

Ati; Seidu, Salisu, Mumin, Lamptey; Partey, Owusu; Issahaku, Kudus, Semenyo; Ayew

Prediction:Niger 1-2 Ghana

Niger VS Ghana stream and TV listing

International：Holasports