By Angola stunned four-time African champions Ghana with a last-gasp 1-0 victory in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Thursday. The match, held at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, ended dramatically when substitute Felicio Milson scored in the 93rd minute, handing Ghana their first home defeat at this venue since 2000.
The 24-year-old Milson, who plays his club football in Serbia, capitalized on Ghana’s failure to clear a low cross, pushing the ball past goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi from close range. The goal silenced the home crowd and sparked angry reactions, with supporters hurling plastic bottles onto the pitch after the final whistle.
Ghana, looking to redeem themselves after disappointing group-stage exits in the 2022 and 2024 AFCON tournaments, fielded a strong lineup featuring six Premier League players. However, they notably omitted veteran midfielder Andre Ayew, who at 34 and currently without a club, was overlooked by coach Otto Addo.
Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, the Black Stars failed to break down a resilient Angolan defense. This inability to convert their superiority into goals ultimately cost them dearly.
The result puts Angola in a strong position in Group F, which they now lead alongside Sudan, who defeated Niger 1-0 on Wednesday. For Ghana, who last lifted the AFCON trophy in 1982, this defeat represents a significant setback in their qualification campaign.
In other AFCON qualifying action, Burundi secured a surprise 3-2 away victory against Malawi in Group L, with Mokono Eldhino scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute. This result immediately puts pressure on Malawi in a group that includes 2022 champions Senegal and Burkina Faso.
Tunisia, under the guidance of 74-year-old coach Faouzi Benzarti in his fifth stint with the national team, narrowly defeated Madagascar 1-0 in Group A. Ferjani Sassi’s 98th-minute goal secured the win in Rades.
The Central African Republic, one of ten countries yet to qualify for an AFCON finals, impressed with a 3-1 victory over Lesotho in El Jadida, Morocco. French second-tier forward Louis Mafouta netted twice in the Group B fixture, which was moved to Morocco due to inadequate facilities in Bangui.
As the qualification campaign continues, ten more matches are scheduled for Friday, featuring title-holders Ivory Coast and former champions including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Zambia, and Senegal.
This round of qualifiers has already produced several unexpected results, highlighting the competitive nature of African football and setting the stage for an intriguing road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
