Rajevac defiant despite stuttering Ghana's defeat

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jan 11, 2022. 12:04

Black Stars Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac insists they will rebound in their remaining two Group C matches at AFCON 2021 following Monday’s setback against Morocco.

Ghana made a bad start to their AFCON campaign in Cameroon on January 10 after a 1-0 loss to The Atlas Lions in a duel of African giants that failed to explode at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

Sofiane Boufal broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when he found space in a maze of Ghanaian defenders to put some shine on an otherwise monotonous affair.

“We hope to score goals and win the next two games. I will calmly analyse the goal shot conceded and see where the team lost control of the game. Right now we will keep our focus on the match,” Rajevac said in a post-match interview.

2021 AFCON FIXTURES & RESULTS

Ghana’s best opportunity in the match came in the 71st minute when Thomas Partey’s spectacular volley was equaled by a super-save from Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

“It was a difficult game for us, after all two great teams of African football were on the pitch,” Rajevac said.

“Morocco scored on the first opportunity it had. I take this opportunity to congratulate Morocco and my players on the commitment shown on the pitch.

“We still have two games to go and we will stay focused on them.”

Ghana’s defeat came less than a week after they lost 3-0 in a pre-AFCON friendly to another North African giant when defending champions Algeria crushed them 3-0 on January 5 in Doha.

2021 AFCON GROUP STANDINGS

The Black Stars return to action on January 14 to face Group C joint-leaders Gabon who beat new boys Comoros 1-0 in Monday’s last kickoff.