{
  "id": 6255667,
  "title": "Black Stars determined to return to AFCON after 2025 absence – GFA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/black-stars-determined-to-return-to-afcon-after-2025-absence-gfa",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T08:14:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/black-stars-determined-to-return-to-afcon-after-2025-absence-gfa/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is resolute in ensuring the Black Stars secure a spot in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following their absence from the 2025 tournament. This is the first time in over two decades that Ghana, a four-time African champions, failed to qualify for the AFCON. The team underperformed in the 2025 qualifying campaign, picking up three losses and three draws from their six matches. As Ghana gears up to commence their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign later this month, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum emphasizes the association's primary goal is to return to the continental showcase. \"We are a country that did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last year, so our aim and ambition are to make it to the AFCON next year,\" he told Asempa FM's Ultimate Sports Show. Ghana were placed in Group C alongside Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia, with the top two teams securing qualification. While acknowledging the challenge ahead, Twum firmly states, \"We cannot afford to miss another AFCON tournament.\" The Black Stars kick off their qualifying campaign with a tough away fixture against Côte d'Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, followed by a home match against The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says it is determined to ensure the Black Stars qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after missing out on the previous edition. Ghana, four-time African champions, failed to qualify for the 2025 tournament for the first time in more than two decades after finishing bottom of their […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Jordan Ayew expected to lead Black Stars through 2027 AFCON qualifiers as captain",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/jordan-ayew-expected-to-lead-black-stars-through-2027-afcon",
        "published": "2026-09-08T08:15:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}