AFCONQ: Ghana, Angola battle for top spot in Group E with five matches on the cards

New Ghanaian head coach Chris Hughton will be hoping to get his tenure at the Black Stars off to a perfect start when he takes charge of his first game against Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of nations (AFCON) qualifying game at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Having taken over a Ghanaian side that sits at the top of Group E courtesy of a superior goal difference to Angola, Hughton will be hoping to make a strong start as the Black Stars begin their quest for their tenth consecutive AFCON appearance in Ivory Coast.

“We need to have the right balance. The most important thing is not to concede goals tomorrow,” Hughton stated during the pre-match conference.

"I know the difference Kumasi can make, it is passionate and vocal here, and any team that wants to do well needs vocal fans. The team has a responsibility to return this, so the supporters must enjoy it. We cannot guarantee any result, but we can guarantee the team will give everything to get a result," the former Brighton & Hove Albion added.

On the other hand, Angola, who are joint top of the group on four points with Ghana, will look to become tricky customers with their main mission being to frustrate the home side in the match that kicks off at 1900EAT.

In the other Group E match, Central Africa and Madagascar, who both have one point from the opening two games, will be seeking to edge out each other for their first wins in the qualifiers.

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Central Africa are third on the log with Madagascar occupying last place due to an inferior goal difference.

In the other encounters, second placed Zambia will face Lesotho in their Group H match at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

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Lesotho are bottom of the pile having collected only one point from the opening two games.

Gabon will face off Sudan in Group I while Congo take on South Sudan in a Group G clash.