Head coach of Angola, Pedro Goncalves, has praised the high level of quality players in the current Ghana squad ahead of the two teams' meeting on Thursday.

The Black Stars host the Palancras Negras at the Baba Yara Stadium in their opening game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

The meeting will be the third between the two teams since 2023 having also met in the qualifiers for the last edition of the AFCON.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's game, Goncalves lauded the quality of the Black Stars setup.

"Black Stars have players from top level in the world, but the big names are in the midfield and forward," said the gaffer. "Mohammed Kudus is one of the best players at the moment for Africa. [There are also] Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey the legend, [and] Inaki Williams.

"I mentioned four players but I can say more. It's a balanced team at the high level but for sure the big names are in the attack."

The game between Ghana and Angola is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 GMT with Ghana looking to usurp Sudan from the top spot.