Posted by Black Stars manager CK Akonnor has opened up on his side’s shocking 1-0 defeat to Sudan in at the Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman.
Ghana after defeating Sudan 2-0 in Cape Coast travelled to Omdurman for the reverse fixture needing just a point to secure a place in the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged in Cameroon in 2022.
However, the qualification was delayed, Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored in the dying embers of the game to hand Sudan all three points.
Speaking after the match, CK Akonnor said conditions were not favourable for his side but admitted that the Sudanese players were hungrier than his players.
“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,” CK Akonnor told GFA official website after the game.
“The Sudanese players were hungrier than us. We will learn from the mistakes we did today and we’ll do well against South Africa and São Tomé and qualify.”
CK Akonnor went on to indicate that his team missed the services of many key playersz
“If I look at the way we played in Ghana and the way we played here I feel there is a bit of improvement in terms of containing pressure and all that. Of course the way we prepared before this two assignment was not an easy one”
“The necessary guys that we need and those we need to be on board and then they came in but unfortunately they did their best but it wasn’t enough. Those who had the chance to play did their part but of course it wasn’t enough for us to carry the day”
“Of course we played without many key players, the likes of the captain, Andre Ayew, Kudus Mohammed and others and so looking at all this I strongly believe that we did well” he added.
Ghana will return to action in March for the remaining qualifiers against São Tomé and South Africa.
The Black Stars currently sit top of the group with 9 points and will need just a win in the aforementioned games to secure a place at the 2022 AFCON.