AFCON: Bukari strikes as Ghana draws with Angola in Luanda

Ghana’s Black Stars are now within a distance of qualifying for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, AFCON in Ivory Coast after playing out a 1-1 draw in Angola.

Joseph Paintsil was the architect of the goal in the 72nd minute after replacing Kamaldeen Sulemana just a minute after the hour mark. Another substitute, Osman Bukari who scored the leveller for Ghana needed just about 30 seconds on the pitch to bail out the Black Stars.

Chris Hughton made a few changes in the reverse fixture with Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams both starting from the bench. The decision meant Antoine Semenyo who scored the winner in Kumasi on Thursday led the lines but it failed to produce the expected results.

In midfield, Salis Abdul Samed partnered with Edmund Addo until the latter hobbled off with 18 minutes left to be played and was replaced by Majeed Ashimeru. Kingsley Schindler who was called to replace the injured Tariq Lamptey got his chance after Denis Odoi missed out through injury.

After going down in the 51st minute through a penalty when Daniel Amartey was adjudged to have pushed an opposing attacker in the box, Chris Hughton made changes.

Inaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil replaced Semenyo and Sulemana respectively 10 minutes after Lucas Joao gave Angola the lead. The changes paid off as Ghana restored parity and went closest to adding a second only to be denied by the crossbar. Inaki Williams’ tame shot was also easily saved by Nebu as Ghana failed to get the win.

As a result of the draw, Ghana remains top of Group E with eight points and is closely followed by the Central African Republic who beat Madagascar 2-0 in the other group game with seven points. Angola drops to third with five points while Madagascar remains bottom with just a point.