2023 Afcon qualifier preview: Ghana vs Angola.

Ghana are seeking to bounce back from their poor World Cup performance in Qatar last year as they face the Palancas Negras of Angola on Thursday in theĀ 2023 Africa Cup of NationsĀ (AFCON) qualifier at the Baba Yara stadium.

While new Black Stars coach Chris Hughton will oversee a match for the first time, it will also be the first Black Stars’ game in Kumasi after they drew 0-0 with Nigeria, a result that helped in securing qualification for the World Cup.

The former Newcastle manager says a victory will be very important to start with.

ā€œFor me personally it will be a wonderful thing and of course hugely important to get the win but more importantly for the team. To win this game at home is hugely important,ā€ said Hughton ahead of the game.

Angola, on the other hand, have envisioned announcing a comeback in the AFCON having bowed out in the group stage of the 2019 edition. They have done just fine in their first two qualifiers recording a win and a draw over Central African Republic and Madagascar respectively.

Head coach Pedro Goncalves is aware of the toughness of the fixture and has vowed to upset the four-time African champions.

ā€œWe are going to face a powerful team in Africa but in our mind, we want to grow, play and challenge ourselves with the big teams.

ā€œThis is our mind as we face the Black Stars. Watch out for us, believe that we will face one-on-one and beat the Black Stars,ā€ he said.

Both teams are tied on points with four each which makes the fixture a crucial one.

READ ALSO:Ā Ā Akonnor disappointed with performance of ‘makeshift’ players in South Africa defeat

FORM GUIDE (LAST FIVE MATCHES)

Ghana’s two World Cup losses are their only defeats in the last five games. However, two of their last three wins came in friendly matches against Nicaragua and Switzerland. Angola have also won three, lost one and drawn the other in their last five games.

GHANA’S FORM

2 DecemberĀ  Ā 2022Ā  Ā GhanaĀ  0–2 UruguayĀ  Ā 2022 World Cup Group H

28 November 2022 South Korea 2-3 Ghana 2022 World Cup Group H

24 November 2022 Portugal 3-2 Ghana 2022 World Cup Group H

17 November 2022 Ghana 2–0 Switzerland Friendly

27 September 2022 Nicaragua 0–1 Ghana Friendly

 

ANGOLA’S FORM

20 NovemberĀ  South Africa 1–1 AngolaĀ  Ā Ā Friendly

17 November Angola 1–0 BotswanaĀ  Ā Friendly

10 July 2022 Botswana 1–0 AngolaĀ  COSAFA Cup

7 July 2022 Angola 3–0 SeychellesĀ Ā COSAFA Cup

5 July2022 Angola 3–1 ComorosĀ  COSAFA Cup

HEAD TO HEAD

Both teams have met thrice in International friendlies and thrice in AFCON competitions. Ghana have the advantage in terms of head-to-head with three wins and two draws with a single defeat which they suffered 26 years ago. In their last meeting, Angola who were the hosts of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations lost 1-0 to the Black Stars in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

11 Nov 1982 Angola 1-2 Ghana International Friendly

06 Oct 1996 GhanaĀ  Ā 2-1 AngolaĀ  Africa Cup of Nations

22 Jun 1997 AngolaĀ  1-0 GhanaĀ  Africa Cup of Nations

28 Apr 2004 GhanaĀ  1-1 AngolaĀ  International Friendly

18 Nov 2009 Angola 0-0 GhanaĀ  International Friendly

24 Jan 2010 Angola 0-1 GhanaĀ  Africa Cup of Nations

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