African Cup of Nations Preview: Angola - Ghana

Kick-off: Sunday, January 24, 17:00 CET November 11
Stadium, Luanda, Angola
A Litmus Test For The Host Nation

This is only the second time that Angola have qualified for the quarter-finals after the last Africa Cup of Nations was held in Ghana in 2008.

Angola find themselves in a tricky situation as they get set to face four-time African champions Ghana. The Black Stars have not been at their best in the tournament because their key players are injured and they only squeaked through to the quarters with a depleted side.

Angola have all it takes to progress to the semi-finals but over confidence and complacency could let them down as the Black Stars look injured like a lion but ready to roar with the slightest chance.

The Black Antelopes have the home support to cow their Ghanaian counterparts. They are very familiar with the terrain at the 50,000 seat November 11 Stadium in Luanda and cannot let their fans down on Sunday evening.

Prior to the start of the Nations Cup they engaged Ghana in an international friendly that ended goalless with almost the same players. They know that a defeat is unacceptable and must do all they could to deepen the wounds of the limping Black Stars.

Can Ghana Stand The Home Fans?

Ghana had a stuttering beginning to the Nations Cup. They lost their opening game against Ivory Coast but miraculously beat disciplined Burkina Faso to slip into the quarter-finals.

They are in the tournament without their stars and their only hope and world class midfielder Michael Essien had to return to his Chelsea base after sustaining a knee injury. The U-20 winning youngsters know that a lot of pressure rests on their shoulders to bring glory to their senior side.

A win against Angola does not look realistic but modern football is full of surprises. The youngsters have shown in their last two games that coach Milovan Rajevac had it right with his blend of youngsters and a few old faces. They seem to be gelling well as a team but need to kick it up a notch to beat Angola.

Team News

Angola

Manuel Jose has a relatively healthy squad to choose from and will hope the home support rattle the young Ghana side.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Carlos Fernandes (Rio Ave, Portugal), Lama (Petro Atletico), Wilson (Recreativo Caala)
Defenders: Dias Caires (Sagrada Esperanca), Enoque (Santos), Jamuana (Petro Atletico), Kali (Arles-Avignon, France), Mabina (Petro Atletico), Rui Marques (Leeds United, England), Stelvio (Uniao Leiria, Portugal)
Midfielders: David (Petro Atletico), Dede (Arles-Avignon, France), Djalma (Maritimo, Portugal), Gilberto (Al Ahli, Egypt), Job, Xara (both Petro Atletico), Ze Kalanga (Dinamo Bucharest, Romania), Zuela (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia)
Forwards: Flavio (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Johnson Makaba (Recreativo Libolo), Love (Primeiro Agosto), Mantorras (Benfica, Portugal), Manucho (Real Valladolid, Spain)

Ghana
Stand-in captain and injured star player Michael Essien has returned to England. However, the return of Rosenborg midfielder Anthony Annan from injury has given them a major boost. There are also worries of intimidation against some Ghanaian journalists and fans ahead of the game. This could psychologically affect the output of the players.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson (Wigan, England), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals, Ghana), Philemon McCarthy (Hearts of Oak, Ghana)
Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Samuel Inkoom (Basel, Switzerland), Eric Addo (Roda JC, Holland), Isaac Vorsah (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany), Mensah Jonathan (Granada, Spain), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea, Ghana) and Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia)
Midfielders: Ibrahim Ayew (Zamalek, Egypt), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg, Norway), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Sampdoria, Italy), Opoku Agyemang (Al Sadd, Qatar), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy), Moussa Narry (Auxerre, France) and Andre Ayew (Arles-Avagnon, France)
Attackers: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad FK, Norway), Haminu Draman (Locomotiv Moscow, Russia) and Osei Ransford (FC Twente, Holland)

Players To Watch

Angola
Manucho and Flavio are the dangermen for the hosts. They could be paired upfront against Ghana and this could spell doom for the four-time African champions. They have both been slippery with their fast and strong moves. Manucho is good at long range shots that could beat any world class goal 'keeper while Flavio has been good at his splendid headers.

Ghana
Andre Ayew and Samuel Inkoom have stepped up their game in this tournament. The left winger has good sense of judgment while his right-back colleague has been spot-on with his crosses. Inkoom pushes deep upfront and produces productive crosses. They were both U-20 World Cup winners and can make a name for themselves if they move beyond the quarters.

Prediction
It could be decided on penalty kicks