Ghana will begin its campaign in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a crucial home fixture against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on September 5.
The Black Stars will then face Niger on September 9 as they seek to secure a spot in the continental tournament, set to be held in Morocco.
The draw for the qualifiers has intensified scrutiny on Ghana, which was placed in Group F alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger. The Black Stars have struggled recently, leading to heightened pressure on the team and its new head coach, Otto Addo.
Ghana’s form needs to be more consistent. After a seven-month winless streak, the team recently managed back-to-back victories over Mali and Central African Republic. However, the team’s overall performance in 2024 could have been better, raising concerns about their prospects in the qualifiers.
By contrast, Angola comes into the match with confidence, bolstered by a strong showing in the 2023 AFCON, where they reached the quarter-finals. Additionally, Angola claimed the COSAFA Cup in July, further showcasing its competitive edge.
Under former coach Chris Hughton, who departed after a disappointing 2023 AFCON, Ghana’s fortunes seemed bleak. Otto Addo, who previously guided Ghana to the 2022 World Cup, has been reappointed, and his impact is evident as the team shows signs of improvement.
The game against Angola is set to be a significant test for Ghana, similar to their match against Mali in June. Angola’s squad features key players like Mabululu and Gelson Dala, who were instrumental in their recent successes.
Meanwhile, Ghana will be missing several key players, including Iñaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil, due to injury. Majeed Ashimeru returns to the squad, and Jordan Ayew, who recently scored a hat-trick, is expected to feature.
Angola’s head coach, Pedro Goncalves, has acknowledged the threat of Ghana’s midfield and attack, highlighting players like Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Thomas Partey as potential game-changers.
On the other hand, Otto Addo remains optimistic about his team’s chances despite the injury setbacks, asserting that the squad is well-prepared.
Historically, Ghana holds the upper hand in their meetings with Angola, having won four of their eight encounters, with three draws and one loss.
The anticipated lineup for Angola features Neblu in goal, with Mata, Gasper, Carmo, and Cruz in defense.
Fredy, Show, and Nteka will anchor the midfield, while Milson, Mabululu, and Dala will lead the attack.
Ghana is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ati Zigi will play in goal, supported by Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Alidu Seidu, and Abdul Mumin in defense.
Thomas Partey and Majeed Ashimeru will anchor the midfield, with Fatawu Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, and Iñaki Williams in advanced positions. Jordan Ayew is also likely to play a role as a starter or from the bench.
The match is predicted to be closely contested, with Ghana favoured to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Angola.
