Ghana's hopes for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) were dealt a heavy blow after a 1-1 draw with Angola at the Estádio 11 de Novembro. The Black Stars, under the guidance of head coach Otto Addo, went into the Matchday 5 qualifier with a determined lineup despite leaving out their first-choice goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati Zigi. Abdul Nurudeen Manaf stepped up in goal, while Razak Simpson earned a place in the starting eleven. Angola, having already secured their qualification for the tournament, came out aggressively, putting pressure on Ghana's defense right from the start. They nearly took an early lead, but their shot missed the target. Ghana quickly responded, earning two free kicks within the first ten minutes, but failed to make the most of those chances. However, in the 19th minute, Jordan Ayew broke the deadlock with a stunning free-kick that put the Black Stars ahead. Despite the momentum, Ghana couldn't find a second goal, struggling to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.
In a tense first half, Ghana's lead came under threat when Angola was awarded a penalty in the 25th minute after a foul by Gideon Mensah on Zito Luvumbo. The pressure was on, but Abdul Manaf made a crucial save to deny M’Bala Nzola, maintaining Ghana's advantage. Angola continued to dominate possession, but Ghana’s defense held firm, and they went into halftime with a narrow 1-0 lead. After the break, Angola increased their intensity, pushing Ghana back into their own half. Coach Addo made a tactical change, substituting Abdul Fatawu Issahaku with Ebenezer Annan in an attempt to regain control of the midfield. However, Angola’s relentless pressure paid off in the 64th minute when Zini found the back of the net, leveling the match at 1-1. Despite several promising moments, Ghana's attack lacked the finishing touch needed to reclaim the lead.
The final stages of the game saw Ghana push for a winner, with Mohammed Kudus coming close in the 76th minute, only to see his shot miss the target. Late substitutions, including Osman Bukari and Ernest Nuamah, added energy to the squad, but Angola’s defense stood resilient. As the clock wound down, Ghana’s efforts became increasingly desperate, yet their decision-making in the final third continued to let them down. When the final whistle blew, the 1-1 draw left Ghana with just three points from five games in Group F, placing them fourth in the standings. This result officially ended their chances of qualifying for the 2025 AFCON, a major disappointment for the four-time African champions. Ghana will close their qualification campaign with a home match against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium, but the outcome will have no bearing on their AFCON ambitions.
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