Ghana skipper Andre Ayew has disclosed that he was battling with illness ahead of their Group C opener against Morocco in the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
Black Stars lost 1-0 against the Atlas Lions at the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium as they currently lie bottom on the group with no points.
Sofiane Boufal scored the game's only goal in the 83rd minute as Morocco claim another win over the Black Stars.
"I’ve been sick for a few days, but I thank God that I managed to be on the pitch with the boys," Ayew told GOAL. "I wanted to be on the field even though I was not fully ready, but I’m feeling better now.
"I’ve not been feeling good for two or three days," he revealed, "but I wanted to be on the pitch, even though I knew I wasn’t 100 percent.
'You need to give everything," he continued, "this Afcon has been anticipated for three years and I’ve been waiting since."
Ghana will face Gabon, who defeated Comoros 1-0 in their second group game on Friday.