Ex-PSL Star Unable To Shut Out Messi & Co.

Photo by Juan Manuel Baez/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Angola 0-2 Argentina

World champions Argentina registered a 2-0 win over Angola at Estádio 11 de Novembro on Friday evening.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was included in the world champions’ line-up, while former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Marques started for the hosts.

According to various reports, the Angolan Football Federation (FAF) paid €12 million (R239million) to secure the friendly.

With all the focus on Messi leading up to the match, the Argentine captain had a hand in the first goal as his through-ball set up Lautaro Martinez, who fired past Marques.

Messi would go on to add his name to the score-sheet in the 82nd minute, as the Argentine captain doubled his side’s lead with a finish from close range after being set up by Martinez.

Kenya 0-1 Equatorial Guinea

Benni McCarthy’s Kenya have suffered back-to-back defeats after going down 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea on Friday evening.

The Harambee Stars came into the clash on the back of a loss to Kenya, as the visitors grabbed the only goal through Josete Miranda.

McCarthy’s charges will be back in action on Tuesday against Senegal.

Uzbekistan 0-2 Egypt

Egypt continued their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was named in the Pharoah’s starting line-up, although there was no place for Omar Marmoush.

The hosts took a two-goal in the first half as Oston Urunov bagged a brace.

Japan 2-0 Ghana

Ghana, who qualified for the 2026 World Cup, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Japan in an international friendly.

The home side took the lead in the 16th minute courtesy of a strike from Takumi Minamino.

The win was sealed in the 60th minute, with Ritsu Doan finding the back of the net.

Related tags