{"loaderData":{"0":{"primaryCategories":[{"title":"Viral News","slug":"viral-news"},{"title":"Entertainment","slug":"entertainment"},{"title":"Campus Trends","slug":"campus-trends"},{"title":"Podcasts","slug":"podcasts"}],"moreCategories":[{"title":"Lifestyle","slug":"lifestyle"},{"title":"Sports","slug":"sports"},{"title":"Events","slug":"events"},{"title":"Interviews","slug":"interviews"},{"title":"Talent Spotlight","slug":"talent-spotlight"},{"title":"Creative Industry","slug":"creative-industry"}]},"0-11":{"category":{"id":7,"title":"Sports","slug":"sports","description":"Black Stars, Premier League, local clubs, and the athletes putting Ghana on the map.","color":"#3B5BDB","coverImage":{"url":null,"sizes":{"thumbnail":null,"card":null,"hero":null}}},"articles":[{"id":3,"title":"Black Stars Qualify for AFCON 2025: Reactions from Fans Across Accra","slug":"black-stars-afcon-2025-qualification","excerpt":"Ghana sealed their spot at the Africa Cup of Nations with a last-minute penalty in Kumasi. We took to the streets to capture the atmosphere.","body":"

The streets of Accra erupted Tuesday night as Thomas Partey's last-minute penalty sent Ghana to AFCON 2025. Supporters poured out of bars, homes, and offices across the country as the final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win over Madagascar.

At the Mantse Agbonaa fan zone in James Town, hundreds had gathered to watch the match on a giant screen. When the penalty went in, the roar was heard blocks away. \"I cried, honestly,\" said 22-year-old Accra resident Nana Yaw Ofori. \"After the last two tournaments, we needed this.\"

Coach Otto Addo — who returned to the role after the 2026 World Cup qualifiers — kept his approach refreshingly pragmatic. \"We knew this would be tough. The boys showed character tonight and that is what matters at this level.\"

Star performers included goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who made three crucial saves before half-time, and debutant Emmanuel Lomotey, whose pressing in midfield set the tone for Ghana's second-half comeback. Lomotey, 21, plays his club football at Clermont Foot in France and has been tipped for a big-money move this summer.

Ghana will head to Morocco for AFCON 2025 knowing they are in a tough group alongside Senegal and Egypt. But for now, the country is celebrating.

","category":{"id":7,"title":"Sports","slug":"sports","description":"Black Stars, Premier League, local clubs, and the athletes putting Ghana on the map.","color":"#3B5BDB","coverImage":{"url":null,"sizes":{"thumbnail":null,"card":null,"hero":null}}},"author":{"id":3,"name":"Kofi Boateng","slug":"kofi-boateng","bio":"Kofi has followed the Black Stars since childhood and now channels that passion into storytelling at the intersection of sport, identity, and youth culture.","role":null,"social":{"twitter":"@kofiboateng_ks","instagram":"@kofiboateng"},"avatar":{"url":null,"sizes":{"thumbnail":null}}},"featured":false,"trending":true,"contentType":"article","videoUrl":null,"publishedAt":"2026-05-25T08:39:45+00:00","status":"published","readTime":4,"tags":[{"tag":"Black Stars"},{"tag":"AFCON"},{"tag":"Ghana Football"}],"coverImage":{"url":null,"sizes":{"thumbnail":null,"card":null,"hero":null}}}],"total":1,"ytVideos":[]}},"actionData":null,"errors":null}