Last roll of the dice: Black Stars rely on Niger-Ghanaian outcasts for survival

The axiom time is a revealer of all things, still holds true.Among the copious Ghanaian Akan values is one known as "Sankofa," which literally translates as go 'back and take it up.' Playing out before our eyes in one way or another is the Black Stars wanting to go back to their own and ask for a favor.The Black Stars are in dire need of a solution and a savior in order to avoid the embarrassment of not making it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).As things stand, the team faces a great chance of not qualifying for the tournament.

The odds are against them and the odds point to elimination, but amidst all this is a glimmer of hope; a last alternative Ghana would like to exploit.For a moment, lay aside the comments of Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku, who boldly claimed "none of these Niger players were going to make the cut for his team" while berating the Black Stars players ahead of their double-header against Sudan.A point from their next two games will mean Sudan qualify for the AFCON at the expense of Ghana.

How can this inevitable reality not actually happen?Ghana's hopes now lie elsewhere after failing to make the most of their chances while they had it within their reach.The Black Stars lost their first AFCON qualifier 1-0 to Angola before, rather surprisingly, dropping two points against the whipping boys of the group Niger and losing and drawing against Sudan.A lot is on the line on the day for Ghana.

Since Jimmy Gatete broke Ghanaian hearts in the 2003 AFCON qualifiers, there's arguably not been a darker day on the horizon in Ghana football.However, three men - Najeeb Yakubu, Daniel Sosah, and Yusif Moussa - who were at the fore to lead Niger in its mass destruction of Ghana, and have Ghanaian heritage, will be needed to supply the goods.Ghana-Niger bandwagonSeven years ago, at the U-17 World Cup in India, right-back Najeeb Yakubu tip-toed his way onto the field as a Black Starlets player, representing Ghana at the youth level.Eric Ayiah, Danlad Ibrahim, and Mohammed Kudus were his then teammates.