Antoine Semenyo was the hero of day as he came off the bench and scored in the final minute to hand Ghana a 1-0 win over Angola in Group E of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.
The Black Stars came into the game having played a 1-1 draw at Central African Republic in their previous qualifier and were in need of a victory after the Central Africans thumped Madagascar 3-0 earlier on Thursday afternoon.
The game at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi was the first game for new Ghana boss Chris Hughton and it started with the West African giants pilling the pressure from kick-off.
They were, however, not able to create any meaningful opportunity with Angola number one Adilson Cipriano Da Cruz hardly tested and limited to making very easy and routine saves.
It looked like the game was going to end goalless until Semenyo – who came on for the ineffectual Inaki Williams in the 69th minute – popped up with the winner from close range in the final minute of added time, giving Hughton a winning start. It was Semenyo’s first goal in the colours of Ghana.
⌚️FULL-TIME – It's all over at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
• Ghana ???????? 1-0 ???????? Angola
⚽️ 90+6' Antoine Semenyo #BringBackTheLove | #BlackStars | #AFCON2023Q | #GHAANG pic.twitter.com/ylyQGzXdIO
— ???????? Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 23, 2023
The victory sees Ghana move to the top of Group E, three points clear of the Angolans who are tied on four points with the Central Africans while Madagascar are last with a solitary point.
The Black Stars will face the Angolans again in next Monday, this time at Estadio 11 de Novembre in Luanda.
