Ghana coach Charles Akonnor has discredited Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba insisting the West African foes didn’t outplay his side in Friday evening’s 3-0 loss to Les Aigles.
The 46-year-old was emphatic in his post-match interview with Ghanaian radio station Adom FM and maintained that the Malians didn’t play ‘any extraordinary’ football.
Les Aigles scored first through Stade de Rennes defender Hamari Traore in the opening moments of the game before 19-year-old Stade Reims forward doubled the lead later in the game through a pinpoint header inside the Ghana box. RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara sealed the victory for Mohamed Magassouba’s side when he persevered to smash home an earlier effort that had come off the last post.
Meanwhile Ghana failed to create chances on the evening with lead men Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew failing to get any shot on target.
But, Akonnor has insisted the Malians didn’t dominate his side but the Black Stars failed to compete due to lack of telepathy among his players.
“I won’t blame the players for the defeat but the key thing which resulted our loss to Mali was that the team was not organized,” Akonnor said during an interview with Ghanaian radio/TV Adom FM/TV.
“The players didn’t know themselves because most of them were debutantes and even the first time they’re playing together.”
“We trained for only two days and there was lack of understanding as well. These are the few things which affected us during the game”
“Mali didn’t play anything extraordinary but they were an organized side which handed them the victory.”
The Black Stars will face Qatar in another friendly duel on Monday at the Emir Hotel Sports Complex which hosted the Mali game.
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