Angola will aim to continue their dominant form in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers as they host Ghana at Estádio 11 de Novembro on Friday.
Ghana, meanwhile, faces a must-win situation to keep their fading AFCON hopes alive.
Angola’s Strong Start
Few expected Angola to cruise through the AFCON qualifiers, but they have shown remarkable resilience, winning their first four Group F matches against Ghana, Sudan, and Niger. Their latest victory was a narrow 1-0 win over Niger, secured by Zini’s early strike at Stade Larbi Zaouli in October.
This marked Angola’s eighth consecutive win in all competitions, extending their unbeaten streak to 12 matches since a 1-0 loss to Morocco in a March friendly. With a perfect defensive record of seven clean sheets and a prolific attack yielding 21 goals across these games, Angola tops Group F alongside other top-performing teams like Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and DR Congo. They now sit five points ahead of Sudan and 10 points clear of Ghana.
Ghana’s Qualification Struggle
The Black Stars, traditionally strong AFCON contenders, have endured a disappointing qualifying campaign. An opening 1-0 loss to Angola set a difficult tone, and subsequent draws against Niger and Sudan, followed by a 2-0 defeat to Sudan, have left Otto Addo’s side on the brink of elimination.
To stay in contention, Ghana must secure victories in their final two qualifiers, starting with Friday’s game. A win would help Ghana keep pace with Sudan for the second qualification spot, though the Black Stars face a daunting task, especially considering their recent struggles on the road.
Team News
Angola: Midfielder Aldair Ferreira has received his first national call-up and could make his debut against Ghana. Captain Fredy is on the cusp of his 60th cap, marking a milestone in Angolan football.
Ghana: Key players Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Ibrahim Osman, and Tariq Lamptey are all out due to injuries. Forward Osman Bukari returns to the lineup, and star attacker Mohammed Kudus, returning from a suspension, is expected to bolster the attack.
Predicted Lineups
Angola:
Neblu; Fortuna, Gaspar, Bastos, Carneiro; Show, Maestro, Fredy; Milson, Mabululu, Luvumbo
Ghana:
Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Seidu, Aidoo, Opoku; Sulemana, Kudus, Simpson; Ayew, Fatawu, Paintsil
Prediction
Angola 1-1 Ghana
