Bouda, who now plays for the San Jose Earthquakes, admitted to following the qualification campaign closely and was particularly disheartened by Ghana’s inability to secure a spot in the tournament. “I was hoping to see Ghana play, especially because of the country’s rich football history. It’s always been expected to see Ghana at every AFCON,” he explained in an interview. Reflecting on his time in Ghana, Bouda fondly remembered training alongside future stars like Mohammed Kudus, Ibrahim Sadiq, and other talented players at the Right to Dream Academy. He emphasized the importance of that shared experience, which fostered lifelong friendships and collective ambitions for success in the football world. Bouda had hoped to see Ghana’s national team compete in the tournament, and ideally, to face off against some of his former teammates on the continental stage.

Despite his disappointment, Bouda remains optimistic about the future of Ghanaian football. He believes that the Black Stars, despite their struggles, possess immense potential to bounce back and return to the top of African football. “I know that Ghana will recover because there is so much potential in the team,” he said, expressing his belief that the team can overcome this setback. Bouda’s own journey has seen him contribute to Burkina Faso’s qualification campaign, netting a goal in the process, and he remains hopeful about representing his country in the 2025 AFCON. His positive outlook reflects his belief in African football’s continued growth and the competitive spirit shared among players across the continent. Despite Ghana’s absence, Bouda remains confident that both his team and Ghana will shine on the continental stage in the future.