With their Africa Cup of Nations hopes on the line, Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has called for an urgent win against Sudan in a crucial qualifier on Tuesday.

“We have to win,” said the 49-year-old coach, now in his second spell leading the Black Stars, after the team’s recent goalless draw against Sudan in their third-round Group F match.

The four-time African champions struggled to convert several clear opportunities in Accra, leaving them seven points behind group leaders Angola and trailing Sudan by two at the halfway stage of the qualifiers.

Only the top two teams at the end of the sixth matchday in November will earn spots in the 24-team finals, a tournament Ghana last won in 1982 in Tripoli.

The Black Stars have a rich history in the competition, with their last failure to qualify occurring 21 years ago.

Ghana’s crucial next match will take place in Benghazi, Libya, where Sudan is currently based due to the ongoing civil war that has made it impossible for them to host games on home soil.

“Where we finish is in our hands,” emphasized Addo, referring to his squad led by West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus. However, the team will be without Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, who is sidelined with an injury.