Ghana will host Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, with the aim of achieving their 2025 African Cup of Nations Qualifying round with a win.

These two teams faced each other in the qualifying series of the last Africa Cup of Nations, with the Black Stars securing a 1-0 home win and a 1-1 draw in the return leg.

Game Preview

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Otto AddoThe second term as Ghana’s head coach was promising, with two wins and a draw in four matches, despite a loss to Nigeria in his first game after the comeback.

Ghana’s recent form includes a dramatic 2-1 win over Mali and a 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic, both qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The last game was a real goal festival. Louis Mafouta scored a hat-trick for the Central African Republic and Jordan responded with his own hat-trick for Ghana, while Abdul Fatawu also made it onto the list of goalscorers.

Ghana’s disappointing exit in the group stage of the recent Africa Cup of Nations led to the dismissal of Chris Hughtonbut the Black Stars have now turned things around and are now looking to win three games in a row in all competitions for the first time since July-August 2022.

The hosts remain unbeaten against the visitors, having won two games and drawn two in each of their last four encounters.

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Angola go into this match with a positive feeling after winning the COSAFA Cup in July, making it their fourth triumph in the competition in July.

Pedro GoncalvesThe men remained undefeated throughout the tournament and won the final 5-0 against Namibia. Victor Pedro Nanque scored a brace.

The Palancas Negras are aiming for their tenth AFCON appearance after reaching the quarter-finals in the last edition before losing to Nigeria.

Angola’s qualification record for the last Africa Cup of Nations was mixed, with two wins, three draws and one loss. The team will be hoping to improve on their performance in a group that also includes Niger and Sudan.

Ghana’s qualification form for the Africa Cup of Nations:

Ghana Form (All Competitions):

Angola qualification form for the Africa Cup of Nations:

Angola Form (All Competitions):

Team News

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Winger of LA Galaxy Joseph Paintsilbased in Turkey Kingsley SchindlerAnderlecht’s Majeed Ashimeruand the striker from Athletic Bilbao Inaki Williams have all returned to the Ghana squad after missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic in June.

Leicester striker Ayew has scored in the last five games for the team and is expected to start in attack again as West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus play behind him.

Angola is expected to launch an attack with Mabululu And Gelson Dalathe duo that caused turmoil in the opposing defence at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Kialonda Gaspar is a constant presence in the defense of Palancas Negras, while David Carmo should continue to be his partner in central defence.

Possible starting eleven for Ghana:
Ati Zigi; Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah; Samed, Partey; Fatawu, Kudus, Semenyo; Yeah yeah

Possible starting eleven for Angola:
Fog; Mata, Gasper, Carmo, Cruz; Fredy, Show, Nteka; Milson, Mabululu, Dala

We think: Ghana 2-1 Angola

Ghana seem to have found their form again under their new coach and won this match too, so we predict a win for them on Thursday against Angola, a team that has struggled in the AFCON qualifiers.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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