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The Black Stars of Ghana will welcome the Palancas Negras of Angola to the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday, March 23 in a 2023 AFCON qualifier Group E encounter.
Both teams are on four points after two games having won one and drawn one and this clash will determine who solidifies the top spot position.
This is going to be the sixth meeting between the two countries at senior level with Ghana having the upper hand with three wins, two draws and one defeat. The last time the two two teams met was in the AFCON in 2010 in which Angola hosted. The Black Stars won that quarter finals clash by a alone goal to nothing which was scored by Asamoah Gyan in the 16th minute.
Ghana has a full house though according to reports from the camp, Southampton central defender Mohammed Salisu might not start the game due to fitness issues. Angola on the other hand have three players unavailable including Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Nelson Luz who sustained a late injury.
Angola coach Pedro Goncalves admits Ghana’s new coach Chris Hughton is a top tactician but he will go all out and make sure the debut game of the former Nottingham Forest boss doesn’t go well.
“Well, I have never met him (new Ghana coach Chris Hughton) personally. I have never been with him. Sure, we have a chance to cross each other,” Goncalves stated in the pre match presser.
“We haven’t talked to each other before but this is a chance to meet each other in the Afcon qualifiers. He is an experienced coach and right now he is in charge of the Ghana national team.
“I hope he is going to do a good job but my work right now is to create trouble for him. Yes, I hope we will have a fair match and then we will see but for now I wish to create trouble for Chris Hughton.” He added
Chris Hughton is also aware of the task ahead as he maintains that he won’t take the game against Angola lightly.
“What we can guarantee is we will work as hard as we can to put a team together; to create the right tactics, the right mentality, the right personnel to put ourselves in the best position to do that,” Hughton indicated.
“And the first that comes is qualification, so we will work as hard as we can. I will be spending more time in Ghana. I will be watching more games. I am constantly being made aware of players who are doing well.”
It is generally going to be an exciting game and the side which utilize their chances and also remain resolute at the back will win.
