Posted by Head Coach of the Black Galaxies, Annor Walker has said that losing the opening match of a competition is not an entirely new thing to happen in football competition.
The Black Galaxies lost their opening game of the Championship of African Nation (CHAN) 2-1 to debutants Madagascar at the Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday.
Madagascar struck in the 9th and 61st minute through Solomampionona Razafindranaivo and Olivier Randriatsiferana respectively, before substitute Augustine Agyapong grabbed the consolation goal for Ghana later on.
“I think my boys disappointed me in the first half and I take it as one of those things that happen in football. We were well prepared for this game, but minor mistakes cost us the game,” said a dejected Walker after the game.
“Such things happen in football. It happens in competitions that big teams lose their opening games. We may have lost but we are certainly not out of the competition yet.
Annor Walker went on to say that he will analyze the game with his technical team and make proper judgement on what exactly went on.
“Madagascar played well in the first half, but we also did not have our usual rhythm. Apart from that, I did not see anything different from them. They were possessing the ball quite well, but I believe we could have done better ourselves and these are the things we will need to look at and remedy ahead of our next match on Thursday. I still need to analyse the game and to make a proper judgement on where exactly we went wrong and how it needs to be fixed,” concluded the coach.
The Black Galaxies will take on Sudan in their second group game on Thursday, January 19 in Constantine, where they will be hoping to redeem themselves and get a result to remain in contention for a knock-out place.
Meanwhile, Ghana have been awarded three points and three goals for its final group match against Morocco which was scheduled for Monday, January 23.
The decision comes in due to the absence of the Morocco national team for the biennial tournament.
Madagascar and Sudan have also been awarded three points and three goals.