AFCON 2025Q: Angola Defeats Ghana With A Painful Late Strike

The Black Stars of Ghana began their qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by falling to Angola in a late strike in Kumasi.

The Palancreas Negras shocked the Black Stars when Milson came off the bench to score the Palancreas Negras’ lone goal at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday evening (September 5), breaking the hearts of Ghanaians.

The 1-0 defeat marks the first time in a long time that Ghana has lost its first AFCON qualifier match.

The first half saw Otto Addo’s team dominate possession but they struggled to penetrate the Palancras Negras’ defense, with the only shot on target coming in the 33rd minute.

After a round from an attack by Antoine Semenyo delivered to Mohammed Kudus in the 18 box, the Angolan goalkeeper had to make the first save of the game.

There were no goals scored by either team heading into the break.

Jordan missed a great chance for the Black Stars when they came back from recess, and Kudus striked another shot but it didn’t even threaten the Angola goalkeeper.

Semenyo almost scored for Ghana in the 56th minute, but his well-struck effort was parried away once more by the Angola goalkeeper, who was amazing to stop the in-form Bournemouth forward.

In the 65th minute, Lawrence Ati-Zigi was called into action for the first time when he tipped over the crossbar a perfect shot from Mabululu.

In the 78th minute, the St. Gallen goalkeeper came up big again to stop Milson, a substitute, from scoring.

In the 80th minute, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku also came close, but his trademark curling effort was too close to the keeper, who made a straightforward save.

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In the 88th minute, the packed stadium thought Ghana had taken the lead, but substitute Joseph Paintsil’s header fell into Neblu’s hands.

Milson scored the game-winning goal in the 95th minute, dispersing the stadium crowd just when Ghana was close to drawing.

As he tapped into the net, the winger capitalized on a missed clearance in the Black Stars’ box to score.

The defeat ends Ghana’s 24-year streak of victories in Kumasi.

Now, Addo’s team will concentrate on Monday’s match against Niger.