Angola kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals after defeating the Central African Republic 2-1 in their Group E contest at Stade de la Reunification on Saturday.
The Palancas Negras scored first in the 12th minute through Kialonda Gaspar but Central African hit back in the 46th minute through Geoffrey Kondogbia. However, after Central Africa goalkeeper Dominique Youfeigane was shown a straight card, Angola took advantage to score the winner in the 85th-minute courtesy of Milson.
It was Angola, who started the game on a high note, and Lucas Joao, who features for EFL Championship club Reading, had a great chance to put them ahead with only seven minutes played but after receiving a neat pass from Milson, he took time to score to an empty net allowing Youfeigane to recover quickly and make a great save.
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However, five minutes later, Angola’s relentless attacks paid off when Gaspar put them ahead with a neat finish. A cross from Fredy found Gaspar with enough space inside the danger zone and he cooled the ball, timed his shot well beyond Youfeigane’s stretching hands.
In the 33rd minute, Central Africa’s Amos Youga became the first player of the day to be booked by Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed after a clumsy challenge on Fredy, and a minute to the half-time break, Angola’s Show was also booked for pulling an opponent’s shirt.
A minute after the second half got underway, Central African pulled a goal back when Kondogbia, who turns out for Atletico Madrid in Spain, rounded off keeper Neblu, after a counter-attacking move initiated by Jacob Youmbi.
Immediately after the goal, Central African coach Raoul Savoy made his first change, bringing in Karl Namnganda for Samuel Nlend while Brad Thomas Pirioua replaced Youga. Meanwhile, Angola coach Pedro Goncalves rested Zito Luvumbo for Megue to freshen up his attacking options.
In the 70th minute, Central African suffered a huge blow when Youfeigane was shown a straight red card. The 23-year-old Youfeigane, who plays for Ligue 2 club En Avant Guingamp, found himself in a face-to-face collusion with the charging Milson and referee Jiyed reached out to his pocket to send him to an early shower.
This prompted coach Savoy to make a quick change, Aladun Kolimba coming in for Brad Pirioua while Angola also rested Lucas Joao for Agostinho Mabululu. However, it was Angola, who took advantage of numerical numbers as Milson scored with five minutes left on the clock, after a defensive mix-up inside Central Africa’s goal.
The victory kept Angola’s hopes of qualifying for the Ivory Coast finals alive as they moved level on eight points with Ghana, while Central African remained third on seven points. The Black Stars will face Madagascar in their fifth match of the group at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium on Sunday.