Black Stars draw with Angola to stay top of Group E of 2023 AFCON qualifiers

Osman Bukari came off the bench to score for the Black Stars on Matchday 4 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola at the 11 Novembro stadium in Luanda. Ghana fought from behind to earn up a draw.

When he connected on a mouthwatering cross from Joseph Painstil in the 72nd minute, the Red Star Belgrade forward did so in less than a minute.

Kingsley Schindler, Joseph Aidoo, Abdul Samed Salis, and Antoine Semenyo began in place of Denis Odoi, Alexander Djiku, Thomas Partey, and Inaki Williams in the Ghanaian coach Chris Hughton’s four alterations to the team that defeated the Palancras Negras 1-0 in Kumasi four days earlier.

Angola grabbed the advantage through Lucas Joao’s 51st-minute penalty kick after a scoreless first half.

Early in the game, the Angolans applied a lot of pressure in an effort to shake up the Black Stars, but the defense held firm despite some standout performances from Helder Costa, Gelson, and Lucas Joao.

The first Ghanaian player to attempt a shot at goal, Mohammed Kudus, saw his attempt miss wide, much to the satisfaction of the home crowd.

Three minutes after the half, Lucas Joao converted the penalty for the home team after Daniel Amartey fouled Gelson inside the area. Lucas Joao’s goal gave the hosts the lead in the 51st minute.

In the 60th minute, Chris Hughton made two fast substitutions, replacing Kamaldeen Sulemana and Antoine Semenyo with Inaki Williams and Joseph Painstil.

In the 71st minute, the manager substituted Osman Bukari and Majeed Ashimeru for Mohammed Kudus and Edmund Addo; the substitutions paid off a second later when Bukari completed a great team play started by Joseph Paintsil.

Paintsil’s attempt, which initially struck the crossbar and then bounced off the line, nearly gave Ghana the advantage.

Later, Ghana seized control of the match as Inaki Williams came close to scoring his first goal for the Black Stars but fired into the arms of the Angolan goalie while playing for Athletic Bilbao.

After four games, Ghana is in first place in Group E with 8 points after two victories and two ties.

The concluding two games of Group E will be played at home by the Black Stars and away to Madagascar.

Source: Ghanatodayonline.com/Louis Gyamerah