Ghana loses to Angola in 2025 AFCON qualifier

ACCRA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) — The Black Stars of Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat against Palancas Negras of Angola in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group F qualifier at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana's second largest city, on Thursday.

An injury-time goal from Red Star Belgrade's Philisio Milson secured all three points for the Angolans and silenced more than 20,000 Black Stars fans in the stadium.

Although Ghana fielded six top players from the English Premier League, Angola played compactly and gave the home team little space to exploit.

The Palancas Negras remained calm throughout the game and surprised the Ghanaians in the 93rd minute with a counterattack that gave them the only goal of the game.

Angola's victory ends Ghana's 24-year winning streak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, an arena where many top teams have previously lost to the Black Stars.

After the first matchday, Sudan and Angola have three points each, while Ghana and Niger are third and fourth in Group F.

Ghana will play its second qualifier against Niger in Morocco on September 9, while Angola will face Sudan.

Ghana will participate in the qualification for the Total Energies AFCON 2025 together with Angola, Niger and Sudan.