Black Stars fail to qualify for AFCON for the first time in 20 years
By Lukman MUMIN, Accra
Ghana has failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in twenty years following a pulsating 1-1 draw with Angola in the penultimate game of Group F in Luanda.
The Black Stars opened the scoring early in the game after Jordan Ayew scored a fantastic freekick in the 16th minute but the host levelled after the break through a Zini header.
Having started the game the better of the two sides, the Black Stars wasted no time in taking the lead after Ayew fired home from 28 yards.
The hosts were awarded a penalty 16 minutes later but RC Lens forward M’bala Nzola’s strike was saved by goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, who replaced Lawrence Ati Zigi in the starting eleven.
The Black Stars were forced back by the Palancas Negras, who created several chances but could not beat a resolute Ghanaian defence. After the break, Angola coach Pedro Goncalves made early changes, bringing on Milson.
Milson’s impact was felt right after the hour mark after sending in a cross which was met by the head of Zini for the equaliser.
The Black Stars had a chance to take the lead after Ayew threaded in a pass to second-half substitute Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorrfer, but the Hamburg forward took too much time as the ball was cleared.
Later, Mohammed Kudus was released in the box, but his effort went wide. In the dying minutes of the game, forward Mabululu had a couple of chances but Nurudeen’s bravery saved Ghana.
