Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Angola in a match that frustrated fans, with many pointing to the team's underwhelming performance as the reason for the loss.
Substitute Milson sealed the victory for Angola with a late goal in the 90+3 minute, taking advantage of Ghana's defensive lapse.
Key Match Statistics:
- Ball possession: Ghana controlled 57% of the ball compared to Angola’s 43%, but this did not translate into effective chances.
- Big chances: Both teams created 1 big chance each, but Ghana failed to capitalize on theirs, while Angola netted theirs with Milson’s decisive goal.
- Shots: Ghana registered 18 total shots, outshooting Angola’s 11, but struggled with efficiency as they failed to convert any of those attempts into goals.
- Goalkeeper saves: Angola's keeper had a standout performance, making 5 crucial saves compared to Ghana’s 4, reflecting Ghana’s inability to break through Angola’s defense.
- Set pieces: Ghana had 7 corner kicks, more than Angola's 3, but lacked the final touch to make them count.
- Fouls and discipline: Ghana committed 19 fouls, while Angola committed 21. Both teams received 2 yellow cards each, showing a tough physical battle.
In-depth Analysis:
Ghana dominated the midfield with 397 passes compared to Angola’s 294, yet the higher possession and passing accuracy (324 vs. Angola’s 204) didn’t lead to a productive attack. Ghana's final third efficiency was lacking, as only 69% of their passes in this area were successful, compared to Angola’s 56%. In addition, Ghana managed more touches in the penalty area (26) but could not convert them into real goal-scoring opportunities.
Key Moments:
- Ghana missed their only big chance of the game, contributing heavily to the frustration of the fans.
- Angola had a lower number of touches in the penalty area (17), but their one clear opportunity was taken clinically by Milson in stoppage time.
Conclusion:
Despite controlling possession and creating more shots, Ghana’s poor finishing, combined with Angola’s clinical efficiency, resulted in a disappointing loss. The fans’ frustrations were further fueled by the team's inability to make use of set-pieces and capitalize on key moments, leaving Ghana's road to AFCON qualification in question.
Stats from Sofascore