Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has underlined the importance of victory against Angola as Ghana fights to keep its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification hopes alive.
Ghana, four-time AFCON champions, faces the prospect of missing the tournament for the first time in 20 years after a challenging qualification campaign.
The Black Stars began their campaign with a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Niger at the Baba Yara Stadium, followed by a 1-1 draw in Niamey. Hopes for redemption in a doubleheader against Sudan were dashed as Ghana was held to a goalless draw in Accra and fell to a 2-0 defeat in Khartoum.
These results leave Ghana at the bottom of Group F with just two points. However, Niger’s 4-0 thrashing of Sudan on Thursday in Lome has handed the Black Stars a slim lifeline. To qualify, Ghana must defeat Angola and Niger while hoping Sudan loses to Angola in their final match.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s must-win clash against Angola, Addo expressed confidence in his players’ mental readiness and emphasized the need to secure their first victory in the qualifiers.
“But I think mentally the boys are ready. I’m looking forward to that game. It’s time for our first victory in this competition,” Addo told the Ghana FA website.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to keep the chance alive,” he added.
The Black Stars will face Angola at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00 GMT.
