Ghana laboured to beat Angola 1-0 in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday evening.
Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo climbed off the bench to snatch a 96th-minute winner for the four-time AFCON winners in front of a packed stadium in the Ashanti regional capital.
Semenyo, 23, has now netted twice in 7 Ghana caps for the West African powerhouse with his latest strike helping Chris Hughton’s side to assume commanding leadership of Group E.
Pedro Soares Gonçalves, the Angolan head coach, managed to gear his side to deliver a calm and composed display which saw them complete 239 passes though it was a 117 success rate of the Black Stars who had an 87% completion rate.
New Ghana coach Chris Hughton kept faith in Lawrence Ati-Zigi with Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, and Denis Odoi forming the back four.
Strasbourg defender Djiku was forced off with a knock as the Celta de Vigo enforcer took his place with 3 minutes of normal time left on the clock.
The Black Stars fired 20 shots at goal but failed to find the target on 11 occasions with Inaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Jordan Ayew all missing chances.
Angola attempted 10 shots at Ghana’s goal but they barely threatened Ati Zigi with M’Bala Nzola and Jacinto Gelson Dala failing to excel against the Ghanaian rearguard.
A series of chances came Ghana’s way in the last 20 minutes with Southampton star Kamaldeen forcing Adilson Cipriano Da Cruz to make a string of great saves.
Jordan Ayew equally had his effort smothered by the Primeiro de Agosto gloveman and he continued to prevent Ghana from getting the victory until he failed to make a first-time save in the 96th minute, spilling the ball for Semenyo to fire home.
