AFCON 2023: I am disappointed – Black Stars Coach admits after losing to Cape Verde
Christopher William Gerard Hughton
AFCON 2023: I am disappointed – Black Stars Coach admits after losing to Cape Verde
Coach Chris Hughton extends his apologies to Ghanaians following the Black Stars’ disappointing loss to Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 opening match for Ghana on Sunday, January 14, 2024, in Cote d’Ivoire.
The team’s inability to secure a win for the third consecutive time places them in a precarious situation, requiring a victory against Egypt to sustain their hopes.
In a post-match conference, Hughton expresses his frustration, stating, “We are incredibly hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan to start on the front foot.”
The Black Stars found themselves second-best in many parts of the game, culminating in a 2-1 loss. The setback occurred when they conceded a goal within the first 17 minutes, allowing Jamiro Monteiro to tap in a rebound after Richard Ofori parried a long shot.
Despite a disallowed long shot by Majeed Ashimeru just before halftime, the Black Stars managed to secure a deserved equalizer through an Alexander Djiku header off a corner kick. However, their hopes were dashed as poor defending led to Cape Verde scoring a late winner through Garry Rodrigues.
With the next match against Egypt on Thursday, the Black Stars confront the possibility of early elimination, reminiscent of their previous AFCON performance.
Maintaining composure and adjusting their strategy will be crucial for the team to revive their tournament prospects. Anticipation surrounds the upcoming clash, and a strategic approach could see the Black Stars reclaiming their stride and securing a vital win to propel them forward in the competition.
