C.K. Akonnor defends Ghana after Sudan loss

Ghana coach Charles Akonnor

Thursday Nov 19, 2020. 14:00

Ghana manager C.K. Akonnor has defended his team after their 1-0 loss to Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier earlier this week.

The Black Stars defeated the Falcons of Jediane 2-0 when the teams met in Cape Coast a week ago, but the return game in Omdurman on Tuesday saw the North-East Africans secure a dramatic victory thanks to Mohamed Abdelrahman’s injury-time goal.

A draw would have been enough for Ghana to secure qualification for the AFCON finals; instead they are level with South Africa at the top of Group C on nine points, while Sudan now trail by only three points. The top two teams will qualify for Cameroon 2022.

“The players fought under uncomfortable conditions like the weather and the Sudanese tried to frustrate us before the game and I appreciate the players’ effort,” Akonnor is quoted by Ghana Soccernet.

The former Hearts of Oak coach added that Sudan fully deserved their win, but remains confident that the Black Stars will qualify for the AFCON regardless.

“The Sudanese players were hungrier than us. We will learn from the mistakes we did [on Tuesday] and we’ll do well against South Africa and Sao Tome and qualify.”

Ghana’s remaining qualifiers will be away to South Africa and at home to Sao Tome and Principe in March 2021. They are looking to appear at a ninth successive AFCON tournament.