By Simon Asare
Accra, Sept. 4, GNA – Another stern task beckons for Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, as they take the first step towards ending their 42-year Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy drought.
Since its last AFCON trophy success in 1982, Ghana has featured in 17 tournaments but has failed to win the coveted trophy, reaching the finals three times.
Ghana’s recent performance at the recent AFCONs has been dismal, as they have failed to advance past the group stages on two occasions, representing a significant setback for the gifted football nation.
Qualification to the AFCON has even become a problem for the Black Stars in recent times and with emerging football countries like Sudan, Angola, and Niger in Ghana’s Group, the qualification task has become more difficult.
However, the Black Stars have shown some glimpses of quality in their last two matches in 2026 World Cup qualifiers and with coach Otto Addo at the helm it should be smooth sailing to Morocco come December 2025.
Coach Otto Addo and his charges would be looking to set the pace and send a strong signal to their Angolan counterparts when they host them at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
Head-to-Head
The Black Stars of Ghana have faced the Angolan Palancas Negras eight times in all tournaments.
The Black Stars appear to always have the advantage, having won four, drawn three, and only lost once against the Angolan side.
The Black Stars last lost to Angola in an AFCON qualification match in 1997, when Fabrice Alcebiades scored a first-half goal to help the Palangas Negras win at Estádio da Cidadela in Luanda.
Aside from that, the Black Stars have been dominant against Angolans, with one of their most notable victories coming at the 2010 AFCON, when they edged them in the quarterfinals.
Team News
The Black Stars of Ghana would field some of their top football talent against Angola, including West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.
Inaki Williams, who missed the last call-ups due to injury, is in camp and will likely start alongside Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
Defender Alexander Djiku has been ruled out of the Angola game due to injury and has been replaced by FC Basel’s Jonas Adjei Adjetey.
The Black Stars will also be without Salis Samed, Gideon Mensah, Ernest Nuamah, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Ibrahim Sulemana due to injuries.
Some of the Angolan players have been in good form especially following their recent COSAFA Cup triumph where they hammered Namibia 5-0 in the finals.
With the likes of Estrela’s Keliano Manuel and Gil Vicente’s Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio, the Angolans would certainly be a threat in the final third.
Ghana’s probable starting line-up: Ati Zigi (GK); Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Alidu Seidu, Jerome Opoku, Thomas Partey, Elisha Owusu, Fatawu Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew
Angola’s probable starting line up: Langanga (GK); Cruz, Vidinho, Canji, Hossi, Maestro, Andrade, Keliano, Aurélio, Depu, Berna
Kick Off Time: 16:00GMT (Thursday)
GNA