The Black Stars of Ghana began their qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a shocking 1-0 defeat against Angola on Thursday at the Baba Yara Stadium.
Ghana was hoping to build on their back-to-back wins in June ahead of the game but Otto Addo’s perfect start has come to a halt.
However, Milson came off the bench to score the only goal for the Palancreas Negras to break the hearts of Ghanaians.
Otto Addo’s side found it difficult to break down the defence of the Palancras Negras in the first half with the only shot on target coming in the 33rd minute.
Mohammed Kudus was on the end of the effort after a round from an Antoine Semenyo attack fell to him, pushing the Angolan keeper into the game’s first save.
However, the first half of the game ended goalless despite Ghana fairly dominating the game.
The Black Stars came back from recess on the stronger side with Kudus firing another effort but it was far from troubling the goalkeeper.
In the 56th minute of the game, Semenyo also broke the deadlock for Ghana but his well-struck effort was parried away once again by the goalkeeper to deny the in-form Bournemouth forward.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi was called into action for the first time in the 65th minute when he tipped over the crossbar Mabululu’s shot.
The St. Gallen goalkeeper came up big again in the 78th minute to deny substitute Milson from opening the score.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s first real involvement came in the 80th minute but his trademark curling effort was too close to the Angola keeper who made a simple save.
Substitute Joseph Paintsil thought he had given Ghana the lead in the 88th minute but his header went into the hands of Neblu.
The Black Stars now make a trip to Berkane on Monday to play Niger in their second Group F game with the hope of securing their first win.