The Black Stars defeated Angola 1-0 on Thursday night at the Baba Yara Stadium in a 2023 AFCON qualifier, giving Chris Hughton a winning start to his tenure as Ghana’s coach.
The West Africans surged three points clear at the top of Group E of the qualifiers with a late goal by replacement Antoine Semenyo.
In his debut game in charge of the Black Stars, Hughton chose an exciting line-up for the game against the Black Antelopes, with Thomas Partey captaining the team in the absence of normal skipper Andre Ayew, who was left out of the match-day squad as a precaution.
Lawrence Ati Zigi, however, kept his position in post, having been Ghana’s starting goalkeeper at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
He was joined by a back four of Denis Odoi, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku and Daniel Amartey while Mohammed Salisu sat out due to injury.
As Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana of the Premier League offered breadth on either flank, Partey teamed Edmund Addo in the middle of the field.
In-form Ajax star Mohamed Kudus was used in a playmaking role, with Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams leading the line as lone striker.
Ati Zigi was challenged by a long-range shot as a large crowd gathered at the Baba Yara stadium to support the Black Stars. This was the away team’s first significant chance on goal.
In the fifth minute, Odoi made a strong run and cut back for Kudus, who struck narrowly wide for Ghana’s first opportunity.
Hughton’s team kept up their early dominance and came close to taking the lead when Partey threaded a pass to Williams, but the Bilbao striker’s attempt to beat the goalkeeper backfired.
After a quarter of an hour, Angola created a rare opening, but Ghana’s defense was saved by a quick black by Amartey.
Jordan Ayew appeared to have been fouled in the area midway through the first half, but the referee refused to award any penalties, leaving the home crowd furious.
The Black Stars laboured to create clear-cut chances, with the poor quality of the ground also making passes difficult for both teams.
Kudus, however, nearly broke the duck when he exchanged a spectacular one-two with Jordan, but his long-range effort was poor.
Williams was the next to go close after a defensive mix-up saw the ball fall to his feet, but his effort was blocked by a timely tackle as Ghana’s frustration continued to build up.
Amartey’s clumsy collision with the Angolan attacker in the area in the first half may have saved the Black Stars from giving up a late penalty, as neither team managed to score before the intermission.
The Central Africans dominated possession to start the second half, but when Sulemana burst free, they almost paid the price against the flow of play.
The Southampton winger successfully moved past his defender, but his shot was blocked and forced into a corner.
Hughton introduced Joseph Paintsil, Osman Bukari, and Antoine Semenyo in an effort to alter the course of the game.
And it was the latter who found the breakthrough in the 95th minute when he smashed home a rebound after Joseph Aidoo’s shot had been kept out.
The outcome puts the Black Stars three points ahead of Angola and keeps them atop Group E of the 2023 African qualifiers.
As the fight for qualifying heats up, both teams will square off one more in the rematch on Monday in Luanda.
