AFCON 2025

AFCON 2025 : Ghana’s hopes dashed after draw with Angola

by
Raphael Bannerman-Quartey
November 16, 2024

Ghana’s hopes of securing qualifications for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco took a big hit as they managed a 1-1 draw against Angola at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.

The visitors desperately needed the results to turn their fortunes around, but they fell short of the expectations of Ghanaians, who rallied their support for them endlessly away from home.

Captain on the day, Jordan Ayew, shot the BlackStars in front with a well-struck free-kick measuring 40 yards, leaving the Angolan goalkeeper Neblu with no answer to the free-kick.

The host was offered a lifeline after Gideon Mensah clumsily brought down Zito Luvumbo in the box for a penalty.

Ghanaian goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen stood his ground to deny RC Lens forward M’Bala Nzola the opportunity of an equalizer.

In the second half, all guns were blazing from the host, chance after chance which got paid off after substitute Zini Cabaca Salvador nodded home from Joao Felicio Milson’s cross.

They soldiered on to create many chances but failed to convert any leaving the game 1-1 after the final whistle.

The draw leaves Ghana winless after five rounds of games, out of qualification, marking a first in 20 years since 2004, Tunisia.

The BlackStars will wrap up the group games as they play host to Niger on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at the Accra Sports Stadium