Black Stars stumble in AFCON qualifier as Angola secures late victory

The Black Stars began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Angola on Thursday (5 September) at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Both sides struggled to penetrate each other’s defences throughout the match. The Black Stars’ best chance in the first half came in the 33rd minute when Mohammed Kudus connected with an Antoine Semenyo pass. 

However, Angola’s goalkeeper, Adilson Cipriano da Cruz—commonly known as Neblú—made a crucial save to keep the score level at halftime.

In the second half, Ghana intensified their attack, with Kudus once again testing Neblú, but the goalkeeper remained untroubled. 

Semenyo also had a chance to break the deadlock in the 56th minute, only to be thwarted by Neblú’s quick reflexes.

Angola had their moments as well. Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Ghana’s keeper, made a pivotal save in the 65th minute, tipping Agostinho Cristóvão Paciência’s (known as Mabululu) effort over the bar. 

Ati-Zigi was called into action again in the 78th minute, denying a shot from Angolan substitute Felício Mendes João Milson.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku had a chance to make an impact in the 80th minute, but his curling effort was comfortably handled by Neblú. 

Substitute Joseph Paintsil thought he had scored for Ghana in the 88th minute, but his header was safely collected by the Angolan keeper.

The match seemed destined for a draw until the dying moments when Milson capitalised on a failed clearance in the Black Stars’ box, tapping in the decisive goal in the 95th minute.

This defeat marks the end of Ghana’s 24-year unbeaten record in Kumasi. The Black Stars will look to rebound when they face Niger on Monday (9 September).

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