By Jennifer Amarachi
On Thursday, Angola shocked Ghana 1-0 with an added-time goal from substitute Felicio Milson in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kumasi.
When the Black Stars failed to clear a low cross, the visitors took advantage, with Serbian Milson putting the ball past goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi from close range on 93 minutes.
After the final whistle, home fans threw dozens of plastic bottles onto the pitch to express their displeasure with the Group F matchday one outcome.
Ghana lost its first loss at the Baba Yara Stadium since 2000. Ghana included six Premier League players in the starting line-up, seeking to atone for embarrassing group-stage exits from the 2022 and 2024 Cups of Nations tournaments.
But 34-year-old midfielder Andre Ayew, who has 120 caps, was noticeably missing. Coach Otto Addo failed to notice “Dede,” who is presently without a club after being released by Le Havre in French Ligue 1.
Despite having more control, shots on goal, and perfect passes, the Black Stars—who last won the championship in 1982—were unable to penetrate the Angolan defense. Angola advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Cup of Nations before losing to Nigeria, who finished second. Sudan, who defeated Niger 1-0 on Wednesday, and Angola are tied for first place in Group F. On Monday, matchday two will see Niger host Ghana while former champions Sudan travel to Angola.
Another surprising outcome saw Burundi defeat Malawi 3-2 on the road in Group L in Lilongwe, with Mokono Eldhino stealing the game-winning goal in the 87th minute. In a mini-league matchup between Senegal and Burkina Faso, the 2022 champions, Malawi twice tied the score before losing, which leaves them immediately behind.
The match takes place on Friday. Starting his fifth term as Tunisia’s coach, 74-year-old Faouzi Benzarti had to wait 98 minutes for Ferjani Sassi to score in order to lead his team to a 1-0 Group A victory over Madagascar in Rades. One of the ten nations who have not yet advanced to the finals, the Central African Republic, defeated Lesotho 3-1 at El Jadida thanks to two goals from French second-tier forward Louis Mafouta.
The Moroccan seaside city was chosen to host the Group B match instead of Bangui’s national stadium due to its noncompliance with international requirements. Ivory Coast, the current champions, and previous winners Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Zambia, and Senegal will make their debuts in ten qualifiers on Friday.
