Ghana, Angola kickoff road to AFCON 2023 party in style

The qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations are off the mark with three matches played across the continent on Wednesday. 

Ghana, Angola and Botswana were part of the teams that kicked off day one of the AFCON2023Q across Africa.

Ghana's Black Stars showed signs of what to expect from them later this year at the World Cup in Qatar with a one-sided win at home.

The Black Stars led by the Ayew brothers, Jordan and Dede, were ruthless and rampant following a 3-0 win over Madagascar at the Cape Coast Stadium in Cape Coast, Ghana. 

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After putting up a fight to hold frustrate the home side in the opening half which ended in a goalless draw, Madagascar fell like a pack of cards in the space of three second-half minutes.

Mohamed Kudus opened the gate of goals eight minutes into the second half before AS Roma youngster, Felix Afena-Gyan, doubled their advantage three minutes later.

Osman Bukari was only on the pitch for eight minutes as a substitute before he wrapped up the win six minutes from time to give the Black Stars a convincing start to the qualifiers. 

Ghana moves to the top of Group E on three points, the same as Angola, who defeated the Central African Republic. 

In the other Group E match, it was Angola who survived a scare from the Central African Republic to keep pace with Ghana at the top of the log.

Angola needed a late surge to see off a spirited Central African Republic team that was just 19 minutes away from glory in Luanda. 

Samuel Nlend shocked the home fans when he gave the visitors a first-half lead following his 32nd-minute goal.

For 70 minutes, the host Angola found the Central African Republic a hard nut to crack.

However, their dominance on the day was finally rewarded when M'Bala Nzola equalised for Angola, eight minutes after he replaced Yano.

The comeback was completed when the second goal arrived four minutes later courtesy of Gelson to put Angola ahead for the first time in the game.

You could sense and feel the huge sigh of relief from the Angolan bench and home fans as it was palpable. 

The Palancas Negras held on for the win and all three points which see them move level on points with Ghana, but are second due to their inferior goal difference. 

The third game of the day saw Libya host Botswana in a Group J match at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya. 

Despite a spirited display, the Zebras of Botswana came, and saw but failed to conquer their host.

Saleh Taher was the hero of the day for the Mediterranean Knights after his goal in the 53rd minute proved to be the only goal of the game.

The home side dominated proceedings at Benghazi and could have won by a larger margin but were unable to convert some of their glorious chances.

In the end, Taher's goal eight minutes into the second half was enough to give Libya an opening day victory and three points.