Julius OkorieAll hell was let loose on Thursday in Ghana as fans went on rampage destroying anything in sight following Black Stars defeat by visiting Palancas Negras of Angola in the 2025 AFCON qualifier.
The match, which was played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, saw Angola run away with a lone goal victory to the shock and disdain of Ghanaians who had turned out in their numbers to cheer the home side to victory.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe ding-dong match with near misses and no goals to show for their effort was heading for a draw when the unthinkable happened. With three minutes added time, Angola’s Felicio Milson’s strike beat Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Zigi.
The defeat marked Ghana’s first loss at the Baba Yara Stadium since 2000. Despite having more shots at goal and possession, Ghana couldn’t break down the Angolan defense.
In a viral video after the game, some irate Ghanaian football fans could be seen destroying some facilities at the stadium to protest against the defeat. Reports have it that the players were lucky to have been quickly smuggled out to safety after the encounter.
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The destructive scenario is a reminder of a similar situation just before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where soccer fans went on rampage and destroyed facilities at the MKO Abiola Stadium Abuja, after Black Stars defeated the Super Eagles in a two legged play-off to claim the slot to the World Cup.
Though the scoreline in the jammed stadium was 1-1, Ghana edged out Nigeria on away goal rule, as their early goal in Abuja was counted as two goals.
The two teams had settled for a goalless draw in the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi with a lot of hopes that the Eagles will turn the table in the second and final leg in Abuja, but that never happened.
Interestingly, Coach Austin Eguavoen who has just been recalled as interim coach of the Super Eagles following the resignation of Finidi George and failed NFF/Bruno Labbadia contract, was in charge of the team when the fracas occurred.
Eagles will take on Cheetahs of Benin Republic this Saturday in Uyo with Eguavoen and his consortium of assistants in charge. The team will them proceed to Rwanda where they will face Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
Embattled Black Stars will next face the Menas of Niger Republic away, in a tie that is equally likely to be tough one for the Coach Otto Addo tutored side on September 9.
In another unexpected result, Burundi won 3-2 away to Malawi in Group L, with Mokono Eldhino scoring the match-winner in the 87th minute.
The result puts Flames of Malawi on the back foot in a group that also has Stallions of Burkina Faso and 2022 champions Teranga Lions of Senegal.
There are 10 qualifiers lined up for Friday (today), with title-holders Ivory Coast pitched against Chipolopolo of Zambia in what promises to be a cracker in Abidjan.
Senegal, host Burkina Fasso, Egypt are at home to Cape Verde and South Africa keep a date with Cranes of Uganda among others.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
