In his first game in charge of the Black Stars, Hughton named an impressive line-up for the game against Black Antelope, with Thomas Partey captaining the team in the absence of regular captain Andre Ayew, who was left out of the match. squad as a precaution.
Lawrence Ati Zigi, however, retained his position as Ghana’s starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He is joined by the back four of Denis Odoi, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku and Daniel Amartey while Mohammed Salisu sits out through injury.
Partey partnered Edmund Addo in the middle of the park, while Premier League duo Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana provided width on either flank.
Ajax star Mohammed Kudus was tasked with a playmaking role, with Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams as the lone striker.
A large crowd arrived at the Baba Yara stadium to cheer on the Black Stars, but it was the away side who made their first serious attempt at goal when Ati Zigi was tested with a long-range shot.
Ghana’s first opener came in the fifth minute after Odoi made an impressive run and stopped Kudus, whose shot was just wide.
Tim Hughton continued to dominate the early exchanges and almost scored the opener when Partey fed Williams but the Bilbao striker’s efforts to round the keeper were unproductive.
Angola carved out a rare opening after a quarter of an hour but a timely black by Amartey saved Ghana’s defence.
The home crowd were unhappy midway through the first half when Jordan Ayew appeared to be fouled in the box but the referee did not shout.
The Black Stars worked hard to create clear chances, with the poor nature of the pitch also making it difficult for both teams.
Kudus, however, almost broke the duck in a brilliant one-two exchange with Jordan, but his long-range shot was weak.
Williams next went close after a defensive mix-up saw the ball fall to his feet, but his effort was blocked by a timely tackle as Ghana’s frustration continued to grow.
The Black Stars were perhaps lucky not to have conceded the last penalty in the first half after Amartey clumsily clattered into the Angolan attacker in the box, as both teams went into the break without a goal.
Central Africa started the second half as the dominant side by dominating possession, but were almost punished on the play when Sulemana broke free.
The Southampton winger managed to clear his marker but saw his shot deflected for a corner.
Hughton made a number of changes to try to turn the game around, bringing on Joseph Paintsil, Osman Bukari and Antoine Semenyo.
And it was the latter who found the breakthrough in the 95th minute when he smashed home again after Joseph Aidoo’s effort was not stopped.
The result means the Black Stars remain top of Group E of the 2023 African qualifiers, and are now three points ahead of Angola.
The two teams will do battle again in the return leg in Luanda on Monday as the race for qualification intensifies.