Angola’s head coach, Pedro Goncalves, has suggested that Ghana’s victory over his team during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Kumasi was more about luck than skill.

The match, which was the debut of former Ghana coach Chris Hughton, ended in dramatic fashion with a stoppage-time goal by Antoine Semenyo, securing a 1-0 win for the Black Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium.

While the win was celebrated by Ghanaian fans, Goncalves believes that Angola could have achieved a different result if not for what he sees as fortunate circumstances for Ghana.

"The last time was tough for us because we lost in the last play of the game on a set piece, a lot of luck for Ghana to finish on goal," Goncalves said.

Looking forward to their next encounter, Goncalves is confident that both teams have grown and improved since their last meeting.

"Tomorrow is a different story and moment; I think both national teams are better now. We have grown a lot, and at the moment, we feel confident not just for tomorrow but for the future," he told the media on Wednesday.

The upcoming AFCON qualifier between Angola and Ghana is scheduled for Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 4:00 pm Ghana time.

As the Black Stars aim for their 25th appearance in the AFCON tournament, Angola will be looking to reverse their previous result and strengthen their position in the qualifiers.