The Black Stars opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Angola at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

The loss is a difficult one take because of the decent performance from the team under the circumstances.

Ghana conceded in the 93rd minute following a poor clearance from Abdul Mumin that the Palancas Negras made the most of.

Here’s how each Black Stars player is rated out of 10:

Lawrence Ati-Zigi – 5

The St. Gallen goalkeeper was not tested much on the night, but when questions were asked of him, he showed up to make two crucial fingertip saves in the second half. There was not much he could do about the goal.

Tariq Lamptey – 5

Despite starting just one game for Brighton this season, the right-back showed a good level of fitness and put his body on the line to make important clearances. He also created a lot with his overlapping runs.

Alidu Seidu – 4

The Rennes defender was played ‘out of position’ as a left-back but managed to cover his side of the defence well. However, he fell short on a number of occasions when required to make a clearance or cross with his weak left foot. His failure to make a tackle against Luvumbo allowed the cross that led to the goal. Seidu is no stranger to the left-back position; his two starts in Ligue 1 were on that side of the defence.

Abdul Mumin – 3

The Rayo Vallecano central defender had a decent game until his poor clearance led to the Angola winner. He threw his body into everything that came his way, though a bit over-expressive at times, and had a good understanding with Salisu in just his first start for Ghana. But, in the world of player ratings, points are deducted for errors.

Mohammed Salisu – 4.5

It was a much calmer performance from the AS Monaco man than we’ve seen in his recent games for Ghana, especially at the 2023 AFCON. His partnership with Mumin was particularly good, but he turned his back on the ball when Luvumbo attempted the cross that led to the goal.

Thomas Partey – 5

He was clean with his passing and made some important ball retrievals when it looked risky, but he came out good. In the passing sequence that led to the goal, there was acres of space on the left side of midfield where the pass was threaded out to Luvumbo for the cross. Better coordination with Majeed Ashimeru could have cut that pass out.

Elisha Owusu – 4

The Auxerre midfielder understood his role well and played largely close to the central defenders and sometimes as a third center-back. It was a good outing for a player who only trained once with the team and was said to be an injury doubt for the game.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – 4

It was an okay performance from the Leicester winger. The 20-year-old showed bravery and took on defenders, though the majority of his attempts were unsuccessful. He should have been substituted after the hour mark.

Mohammed Kudus – 7

This was perhaps his best number ten performance I’ve seen in a Ghana shirt. He carried the ball well and was a constant threat down the middle. The West Ham man linked play effectively and should have shot from distance more often, considering the pitch didn’t allow for smooth rolling of the ball.

Antoine Semenyo – 6

The Bournemouth forward was Ghana’s most comfortable player on the ball and created a very good chance for Kudus with his cut-back. His ball-carrying was impressive.

Jordan Ayew – 5

It was a normal game for the Leicester attacker, doing his usual holding up of play and winning fouls. However, he was not active in the box as the number nine. There was no player to follow up when Neblu failed to completely grab Kudus’ shot.

Subs

Majeed Ashimeru – N/A

Joseph Paintsil – N/A

Inaki Williams – N/A

Coach Otto Addo - 3.5

Good display from his team. They showed good passing rhythms and controlled the game better than we've seen in the wins over Mali and The Central African Republic in June. Curiously, he left it too late to make his changes after the 80th minute.

Photo credit: GFA Communications