Ghana faced a significant setback in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, suffering a defeat against Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium.
This loss marks the end of a 24-year dominance at the venue for Ghana.
Despite controlling much of the game, Ghana struggled to convert their chances into goals. The decisive moment came in stoppage time when a poor clearance from Abdul Mumin allowed Felicio Joao Milson to capitalise on the mistake and score the winning goal for Angola.
As a result of this defeat, Ghana now finds itself in third place with no points in Group F and will be looking to bounce back in their next match against Niger in Morocco on Monday.
Here are five key takeaways from the disappointing performance:
Poor pitch affected fluidity of game
Ghanaians and football fans worldwide were eager for an exciting encounter. However, the game was marred by the poor condition of the pitch at the Baba Yara Stadium, which significantly affected the players’ performance.
Despite Ghana’s historical dominance at this venue, the players struggled to adapt to the bumpy surface. Talented individuals like Mohammed Kudus and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, known for their skillful play, found it challenging to make an impact as the ball frequently bounced unpredictably.
This ongoing issue with the pitch requires immediate attention and action. It is far more acceptable to lose points due to tactical shortcomings than to have a subpar playing surface as a critical factor in the outcome of a match.
The disappointing performance has again raised concerns about the management of the stadium and the need for improvements to ensure that such issues do not hinder the Black Stars’ progress in future matches.
Ghana’s left-back Conundrum: Lack of options and consistency
Ghana’s left-back position has been a cause for concern in recent times, with the team struggling to find a consistent and reliable player in that role. The absence of Gideon Mensah, who was sidelined due to injury for the match against Angola, highlighted the lack of depth in this crucial position.
Otto Addo, was forced to deploy Alidu Seidu, a natural right-back, on the left side of the defence. Ebenezer Annan, who is considered a natural left-back, was present in the squad but remained on the bench throughout the match.
This situation underscores the need for the technical team to address the left-back issue as a matter of urgency. In the past, players like Patrick Kpozo and Fatawu Hamidu have been called up to the national team, but they have failed to cement their place in the squad.
The absence of Baba Rahman, who previously battled with Mensah for the left-back position, has further exacerbated the problem. Rahman has been unavailable due to personal reasons, leaving a void that has yet to be filled.
To resolve this issue, the technical team must intensify their scouting efforts to identify talented left-backs who can compete for a place in the national team.
Majeed Ashimeru must start
Majeed Ashimeru’s performance in Ghana’s defeat against Angola highlighted his importance and why he should rather be starting then climbing off the bench for the Black Stars. Despite Otto Addo’s proactive style of play suiting Ashimeru’s strengths, the Anderlecht midfielder has often been replaced by more defensive-minded players. Ashimeru’s influence was evident as he pushed forward and made crucial passes, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to prevent Ghana’s late concession. The loss emphasises the need for Ashimeru to remain a consistent starter for the national team, as his attacking prowess and ability to dictate the tempo could be crucial in future matches.
Indecisive frontline
Ghana’s attack, featuring talents like Fatawu Issahaku and Mohammed Kudus alongside experienced Premier League stars Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo, struggled to make an impact in the final third of the pitch against Angola. Despite the challenging playing conditions, the lack of cohesion and clinical finishing from the Ghanaian forwards was evident.
While Angola’s goalkeeper made some crucial saves, the Ghanaian attackers failed to show the necessary urgency and composure in front of goal. They had opportunities to break the deadlock but were unable to capitalise. The poor pitch may have been a contributing factor, but the attackers will be disappointed with their overall performance and missed chances.
Individual brilliance alone is not enough at this level; the team must work on their collective movement, passing, and finishing to break down well-organised defences.
Inconsistent backline
There was a fresh centre-back pairing in Mohammed Salisu and Abdul Mumin, highlighting a long-standing issue for the team. However, the technical team cannot be entirely blamed, as this challenge stems from frequent injuries.
Alexander Djiku, a preferred choice for centre-back, was unavailable once again due to injury. This forced the coach to field Abdul Mumin, whose unfortunate mistake led to the only goal of the match.
