The Black Stars are set to face Angola tonight in a pivotal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Estadio 11 de Novembro, with the match kicking off at 19:00 GMT as reported by Adomonline on Friday, November 15, 2024.
A win is crucial for Ghana to keep their qualification hopes alive for the 2025 tournament, particularly after Niger’s resounding 4-0 victory over Sudan, which has breathed new life into Ghana’s slim chances.
Ghana’s journey in the AFCON qualifiers has been far from smooth. With just two points from four matches, the Black Stars are sitting in fourth place in their group.
Their record includes two draws and two losses, casting doubt on their ability to secure a place in next year’s competition. Ghana’s hopes were further dashed after a 2-0 defeat to Sudan in Benghazi, leaving them with a difficult task ahead.
Despite these setbacks, a win tonight is crucial for Ghana’s chances.
With only two matches remaining, the team must win both to have any hope of surpassing Sudan and claiming second place in the group.
The Black Stars will also need to perform on foreign soil, a challenge considering they have won just once in their last 10 away matches.
Team News
Angola will be bolstered by the presence of midfielder Aldair Ferreira, who could make his international debut. Captain Fredy is also set to earn his 60th cap, marking a milestone in his international career.
Ghana, on the other hand, will miss several key players, including Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, and Joseph Paintsil, among others.
With these absences, several new faces have been called up, including Osman Bukari and Ransford Yeboah Koningsdorffer. Mohammed Kudus is also available after serving a suspension with his club, West Ham.
Head-to-Head Record
Both Ghana and Angola have faced off five times with Ghana having the upper hand with two wins, while Angola have one win along with two draws.
Predicted Lineups
Angola: Neblu, Fortuna, Gaspar, Bastos, Carneiro, Show, Maestro, Fredy, Milson, Mabululu, Luvumbo
Ghana: Ati-Zigi, Mensah, Seidu, Aidoo, Opoku, Sulemana, Kudus, Simpson, Ayew, Fatawu, Paintsil
Match Prediction
Given Angola’s strong form and Ghana’s struggles, the match is expected to end in a 1-1 draw. Both teams will have a lot to play for, but Angola’s recent dominance may prove difficult for Ghana to overcome.