We’ve Not Been Good Enough- Hughton

Black Stars Head Coach Chris Hughton has recognised his side’s blunder, which has left them with a slim chance of surviving in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

They squandered their chance when their destiny was in their hands to win against Mozambique and automatically sail through to the Round of 16.

Their fate now hangs in the balance and depends on the outcome of the remaining games in the tournament for the best four third-placed team slot.

At a post-match press conference, Hughton rued, “This was the best opportunity that we had in this competition where we had the place for a long enough period to train and to put formation in place…the assessment of mine is that we have not been good enough.”

“A lot of players have played in these three games and our energy levels were not at the highest spot. When you get yourself into a position of bringing 2-0 up, you don’t expect to concede in the way that we conceded and this was shown in the three games…we continue to make fundamental mistakes. We got ourselves into the lead whether we deserved it or not the fact is that we were in the lead to the next stage of the game.”

Expressing his emotions, he said, “I was angry and frustrated as anybody else.”

Ghana would have recorded a draw in their first game against Cape Verde but a tattered defensive side saw the opponents retake their lead with a late goal.

In their second game against Egypt, Ghana threw away their lead twice to end 2-2 against the Pharaohs.

Chris Hughton’s side converted two penalties in both halves to take the lead in their last group game against Mozambique.

However, the Mambas came from behind to draw against the Black Stars after winning a penalty sanctioned by substitute Andre Ayew in 90+1 minutes and converting a corner three minutes later.

They are now third on the league table with two points in three games.

Meanwhile, Group B leaders Cape Verde and Egypt have qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.