A late second half strike by Randy Nteka was enough to secure maximum points for the Palancas Negras of Angola as they edged Sudan 2-1 at the 11 de Noviembre Stadium in Luanda on Monday night.
Angola would now top Group F with six points after two games followed by Sudan who have three points. Ghana have just a point with Niger also having one point.
Angola started the game on the front foot, putting up an explosive start that threatened the Sudanese side. The home fans enjoyed every bit of the game and were happy to see their side dominating play. The first half ended in a stalemate.
After recess, Angola continued their torture - paying off in the 31st minute when Mabululu scored the first goal. The stadium went gaga in celebration as Angola broke through Sudan’s defense to fire the Palancas Negras ahead.
However, their joy was cut short. Just four minutes after Angola’s opener, Kwesi Appiah’s Sudan found the back of the net, stunning the Angolan crowd. Sudan’s equalizer shifted momentum briefly in their favor, but Angola remained undeterred.
Determined not to let the game slip away, Angola rallied. Thirty minutes after their first goal, they reclaimed the lead through Randy Nteka making it 2-1. The stadium exploded once again as Angola cemented their advantage.
Despite Sudan’s efforts to push for another equalizer, Angola’s defense held firm, denying any further threats.
With this victory, Angola made it two wins out of two, securing a crucial spot at the top of the standings and sending a message of intent to the rest of the competition.
By: Pascal Amoah
