Ghana coach reflects on Black Stars’ struggles after Angola’s high-intensity approach ends AFCON hopes.

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has admitted that his team struggled to cope with Angola’s relentless pressing during their 1-1 draw in Luanda, a result that confirmed the Black Stars’ elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Palancas Negras, playing with freedom and nothing to lose, effectively pinned the Black Stars in their own half, disrupting Ghana’s rhythm and forcing errors. Speaking after the match at the Estádio 11 de Novembro, Addo highlighted how Angola’s tactics exposed Ghana’s lack of intensity.

“They didn’t have anything to lose today, you could see. They could play freely, while we were a little bit more under pressure,” Addo explained. “They pressed us very well, held us down in our half, and it was difficult for us. We were missing our intensity, and I think it was not good enough from our side.”

The result leaves Ghana at the bottom of Group F, with no chance of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco. The Black Stars needed a win against Angola to keep their hopes alive and were also required to beat Niger in their final group match.

This marks a historic low for Ghana as they miss the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 21 years, raising questions about the team’s preparation and performance throughout the qualifiers. The final match against Niger on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium now holds no significance for the team’s campaign.