AFCON qualifiers: Semenyo strikes late as Black Stars beat Angola in Kumasi
The Black Stars were 1-0 winners in their AFCON qualifying game against the Black Antelopes of Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium as new manager Chris Hughton began his stint as the head coach of the men’s senior national team on a remarkable note.
The win makes Hughton the first Black Stars manager out of the last five to win their opening game and also sends Ghana to the top of the group standings.
Ghana was the more dominant of the two sides, forcing the men from Angola to play without the ball for most parts of the game.
The Black Stars created a number of good chances but failed to convert as a result of inaccurate shooting and bad decision-making in the final third of the pitch.
Back from recess, Hughton introduced substitutes in the second half in an attempt to win the game, taking off underwhelming attackers Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams and replacing them with Joseph Paintsil and Antoine Semenyo, respectively.
The decision paid off as Semenyo’s inclusion proved to be the match-winner as he scored the only goal of the game in the 96th minute, pouncing on a scrappy ball inside the penalty box. The London-born striker’s second goal for Ghana.
The Palancas Negras will host the Black Stars on the 28th of March in the return fixture at the Estádio 11 de Novembro.
