Advertisement
Niger
coach
Badou
Zaki
has
expressed
confidence
in
his
team’s
ability
to
qualify
for
the
2025
Africa
Cup
of
Nations
(AFCON)
despite
being
drawn
in
a
challenging
group
with
Ghana,
Angola,
and
Sudan.
The
Nigeriens
who
are
aiming
to
make
it
to
their
third
AFCON
face
a
daunting
task
against
these
opponents.
Reacting
to
the
draw
in
an
interview
with
CAFonline.com,
Zaki
assessed
the
strengths
and
weaknesses
of
their
opponents.
“We’re
in
an
affordable
group.
We
have
every
chance
of
qualifying.”
While
acknowledging
Ghana’s
football
prowess,
the
Moroccan
legend
believes
that
the
Black
Stars
are
not
as
formidable
as
they
once
were.
“Ghana
is
a
football
country
with
great
professionals…
but
it’s
not
the
team
of
five
or
six
years
ago.
Even
at
home,
they
can
lose.”
Niger
will
face
Sudan
and
Ghana
in
their
first
two
qualifying
matches
in
September
2024.
Zaki’s
confidence
in
his
team’s
abilities
is
evident,
as
he
aims
to
guide
the
Mena
to
their
first
AFCON
qualification
in
a
decade.
Niger
previously
made
back-to-back
appearances
in
the
2012
and
2013
editions
in
Equatorial
Guinea
and
Gabon,
and
South
Africa,
respectively.
Despite
the
challenges
ahead,
Zaki’s
positive
mindset
and
strategic
preparation
suggest
that
Niger
is
poised
to
make
a
strong
impact
in
the
qualifiers.
Interestingly
Ghana
will
face
Sudan
which
is
now
coached
by
former
coach
Kwesi
Appiah
adding
an
extra
layer
of
intrigue
to
Group
F
as
the
Black
Stars
aim
for
a
25th
appearance
on
the
continental
stage.