Good evening and welcome to the live text coverage of the clash between Angola and Ghana in the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
The national teams of the two countries locked horns last Thursday in a Round 4 meeting of Group E in the AFCON qualifiers.
Today, they are meeting again in the reverse fixture of the qualifiers.
Last meeting:
Ghana last played against Angola just last Thursday. In a game played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, the Black Stars scored late through striker Antoine Semenyo to secure a narrow 1-0 win to take home the maximum three points.
It is that win that handed Ghana the three points gap at the top of the Group E standings of the 2023 AFCON.
Before that, the last two matches between Angola and Ghana had gone in favour of the Black Stars.
This time around, Angola will hope to capitalize on the home advantage to get one over Ghana tomorrow.
Who needs the win more:
For sure Angola will go into Monday’s encounter as the side in need of the win more. This is important for the side to catch up with Ghana and push for the top spot in Group E.
However, a win will definitely not come easy. The Black Star still have a quality squad to win away from home although four key players including captain Andre Ayew will be missing the crucial AFCON qualifier due to injury.
Black Stars possible starting lineup:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Joseph Aidoo, Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey, Abdul Salis Samed, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Inaki Williams.
Match details:
The match between Angola and Ghana is scheduled to kick off at Estadio 11 de Novembro tomorrow at 16:00gmt.
We are just an hour to kick off of the big game in Group E. Following these live updates for minute-by-minute commentary on the game.
KICK-OFF:
1' Here we go, the game is underway at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda.
3' A very lively start for Angola. The home team threatened but the defense of Ghana was equal to the task.
6' Shouts for a penalty kick after Costa went down in the Ghana box. The referee will have none of that and waves play on.
8' Angola star midfielder Freddy tries his effort but Lawrence Ati-Zigi is alert and saves.
10' Ghana has gradually come into the game after the tempo of the match slowed down.
12' Ghana has won a first corner kick. Mohammed Kudus takes but Angola wins a free kick after a challenge on the goalkeeper.
15' Angola 0-0 Ghana.
18' Ghana has grown into the game but missing the passing game. Who gets the first goal in this contest?
19' Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi pulls off another fantastic save to keep the game goalless.
21 Panic in the Ghana defense forces the defenders to concede a corner. Captain Daniel Amartey got the final touch. Corner is poorly taken and the Black Stars eventually win back possession.
23' Mohammed Kudus wins a free-kick for Ghana in a dangerous position. It is taken but nothing comes out of it.
25' Angola 0-0 Ghana.
28 Good attacking play from Angola down the right. The final shot goes out of play after deflecting off Joseph Aidoo. Corner for the home team. Good take but hacked clear from danger.
30' We are into the final 15 minutes of the first half.
33' It's been a very good game so far. Any of the two sides can win this one.
35' Tough game we have here. Neither side is giving chance for the other.
40' Ghana wins a goal kick after a strong display from Joseph Aidoo to protect the ball out of play.
41' It does not look like we will see a goal before halftime.
43' Pressure on Ghana until Jordan Ayew comes in to win a free-kick for the Black Stars. Great play from the experienced attacker.
44' Ghana wins a corner kick after good play from Kamaldeen Sulemana on the flanks. The corner is taken but wasted. Angola goes on a counter-attack but Ati-Zigi pulls off another great save.
45' We will do just a minute of additional time.
Halftime: There you have it. The referee has whistled to bring the first half to a close. Angola 0-0 Ghana.
We will be back after 15 minutes for the second half.
Second Half:
46' We are back underway with Angola kicking us off. Will there be a goal?
49' Penalty!!!! Angola have been awarded a penalty kick.
50' Goal!!!! Lucas Joao sends the keeper the wrong way and the back hits the back of the net. Angola 1-0 Ghana.
58' Yellow Card - Gideon Mensah has been booked.
60' We have reached the hour mark. Angola 1-0 Ghana.
61' Ghana coach Chris Hughton makes two changes. Inaki Williams is on for Inaki Williams. Joseph Paintsil also replaces Kamaldeen Sulamena.
64' Joseph Paintsil shows pace on the flanks, and tries his luck but his effort is off target.
68' Ghana coach Chris Hughton preparing to make more substitutions.
72 Goal!!! Ghana has drawn level. What a goal. Osman Bukari who just replaced Mohammed Kudus has equalsied to restore parity. What a substitution by Osman Bukari.
75' We are into the final 15 minutes of the match.
80' There is still plenty of time for either Angola or Ghana to get the winning goal.
81' Inaki William wins a dangerous free-kick for the Black Stars. Jordan Ayew takes but it is over the bar.
85' Inaki Williams with a golden opportunity but misfires. the scoreline remains the same.
88' Joseph Paintsil is down and injured. The medics are on to take a look at him. Fortunately, he is well and can continue the game.
90' We will do four minutes of additional time.
Full time: It is all over here at the 11th November Stadium. Ghana fights to draw 1-1 with Angola.