Prediction: Ghana vs Angola

Date: Thursday, 23rd March

Time: 4pm GMT

Prediction: Draw

It’s time to dive into the chaos of another international break and today, we’ll be taking a look at the qualification phase for the Africa Cup of Nations. We’re less than a year away from the 2023 (technically 2024) edition of the event, which is set to go down in Côte d’Ivoire. On Thursday, Group E’s two frontrunners to qualify will collide when Ghana go head to head with Angola for the first time in over a decade.

Ghana

Once upon a time, Ghana were looked at as one of the rising forces in African football – and potentially even worldwide. Their near-miss in the 2010 World Cup certainly helped, but since then, they haven’t quite been able to live up to their potential. They couldn’t get out of their group in Qatar and in the AFCON, they haven’t reached the semi-finals since 2017, and they haven’t won it since way back in 1982.

Angola

With just one World Cup appearance (2006) to their name and with just one AFCON appearance in the last four tournaments, Angola are ready to try and prove themselves once again. They’ll have to work hard to fend off the advances of the Central African Republic and Madagascar, but so far, they’ve looked more like a cohesive unit than they have done in years – and their fans are starting to sense that.

Factors to Consider

• Ghana have lost just one of their last six games against Angola.
• Ghana have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• Angola have won two, drawn three and lost one of their last six games.
• Ghana have scored nine goals and conceded 12 in their last six games.
• Angola have scored eight goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

While the difference in competition that these two have faced recently has been noticeable, we do think there’s something to be said for Angola’s defensive strength. Ghana have struggled to break teams down on more than a few occasions at this level and we expect that trend to continue. The two sides will share the spoils here, in a result that does bolster the hopes of both when it comes to qualifying for the AFCON itself. If they want to thrive at the actual big dance, though, they need to learn how to be a bit more clinical.

Date: Thursday, 23rd March

Time: 4pm GMT

Prediction: Draw