Angola’s head coach, Pedro Gonçalves, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to stand up to Ghana as they prepare to face off in the opening match of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Speaking at a press conference, Gonçalves highlighted the significant improvements in the Angolan squad since their last encounter with Ghana, suggesting that his side is now ready to mount a serious challenge.
In March 2023, during the qualifiers for the previous Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana narrowly defeated Angola 1-0 in Kumasi, scoring in the dying moments of the match.
Reflecting on that loss, Gonçalves acknowledged the difficulty his team faced but emphasized that the outcome was largely due to Ghana’s late-game luck rather than a clear gap in quality.
“Last time it was difficult for us because we lost in the last action of the match on a set piece. Ghana were very lucky to score,” Gonçalves remarked.
This time, however, he is determined to reverse that result on the same ground in Kumasi, relying on a team that he believes has grown stronger and more resilient.
The Palancas Negras, as Angola’s national team is known, have indeed shown significant progress since their last clash with Ghana.
After narrowly missing out on the semi-finals in the previous AFCON tournament, where they were eliminated by Nigeria, Angola has returned to the qualifiers with renewed determination and greater confidence.
Gonçalves pointed out that the experience gained from their recent campaigns has made his squad more formidable.
“I think Ghana is stronger at the moment, but we are also much stronger,” Gonçalves stated, underscoring his belief that Angola now has the capability to match one of Africa’s football powerhouses.
The upcoming match in Kumasi is not just a chance for Angola to start their AFCON 2025 campaign on a positive note but also an opportunity for redemption after their previous narrow defeat.
The match between Ghana and Angola is set for Thursday at 4 pm GMT, with both teams vying for a crucial victory that could see the winner join Sudan at the top of Group F.
Sudan has already secured a win against Niger in their first outing, edging them out 1-0.
As the stage is set for what promises to be an intense encounter, all eyes will be on Kumasi to see whether Angola can capitalize on their newfound strength and secure a vital win against Ghana, signaling their intent to be serious contenders in the race for AFCON 2025 qualification.
