Who told you it’s going to be easy?Despite being massive favourites and playing on home soil, the Black Stars kickstarted their 2025 AFCON Qualifiers with a shocking defeat to Angola on Thursday night, 0-1.Although the hosts lined up some serious names in the starting XI – like Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus – the visitors weren’t the least bit impressed and grabbed a sensational away win, which could prove crucial in their qualifying campaign.🚨 L’Angola 🇦🇴 s’impose au Ghana 🇬🇭 (0-1) à la 94e ! 🌍🤯 pic.twitter.com/5c7b3ThV4T— 🏆 Actu Foot Afrique (@ActuFootAfrique) September 5, 2024 The game lacked clear-cut chances on both ends. The Black Stars kept the ball in their possession for the majority of the match but did not have the necessary determination in the finishing third.Organized in a compact 3-4-3 formation, the Palancas Negras kept composure and their disciplined defending made it almost impossible for the rival to get anywhere near the goal, let alone score one.As the match was reaching the final minutes, Angola were showing signs of serious confidence, getting closer to the opponents’ goal with each new attempt.Firstly, a second-half substitute, striker Depu, missed a header from a close range before Red Star forward Milson routinely scored a winner. A cross from the right was cleared just for a moment as Milson’s tap-in followed for the biggest possible upset.GOAL | Milson | 🇬🇭 Ghana 0-1 Angola 🇦🇴pic.twitter.com/NNIQNdAeIP— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) September 5, 2024 Meanwhile, Congo Republic defeated South Sudan 1-0 in what could have also ended as a goalless draw if it wasn’t for Chandrel Massanga’s first-half superb missile from mid-range. Even though the odds were totally against the visiting underdogs, they demonstrated well-organized football and should be proud of their performance.Massanga decided the match, as his right-footed shot from outside the box went straight into the bottom left corner.AFCON 2025 – QUALIFIERSThursdayCentral African Republic – Lesotho 3-1 (2-0)/Mafouta 1,24, Motebang 56/Malawi – Burundi 2-3 (1-2)/Chawa 31, Nkhoma 75 – Idana 22 og, Girumugisha 33, Eldhino 87/Ghana – Angola 0-1 (0-0)/Milson 90+3/Congo Republic – South Sudan 1-0 (1-0)/Massanga 12/Guinea-Bissau – Eswatini 1-0 (1-0)/Nogueira 14/22.00: (1.30) Tunisia (5.00) Madagascar (12.0)22.00: (1.37) Algeria (4.50) Equatorial Guinea (10.0)***odds are subject to change***
