Black Galaxies head coach Annor Walker has fingered conceding an early goal as the main reason behind Ghana’s loss to Niger at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He said this in the post game interview after Ghana suffered a 0-2 loss to Niger in the quarterfinals of the competition organized for players competing in national football leagues in Africa.
Ghana defender Konadu Yiadom scored an own goal in the 11th minute and Niger’s Soumana Hainikoye Boubacar doubled the lead in the 50th minute.
The win moves Niger to the semifinal stage where the West African nation is scheduled to play against host nation Algeria at 16:00 GMT on Tuesday, January 31.
The loss eliminates Ghana from the tournament; the Black Galaxies aimed to make a third appearance in the final after doing so in 2009 and 2014.
“When they (Niger) got an early goal, it gave them more determination and, on our side, it demoralized us…and when we conceded the second goal, we struggled to come back and eventually lost. I don’t think we deserved to lose” Walker said.
Niger beat Ghana 1-0 at the 2011 edition; Ghana lost all three games in the 2011 competition that was held in Sudan.