Ghana was sent packing from the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) after a horrible 2-0 loss to Niger in the quarterfinal.
This was a second defeat to Niger in the history of CHAN after also beating Ghana 1-0 in the group stage in 2011.
Here are three things we’ve learned from the game.
Poor organization AGAIN!
It was another false start for Ghana against Niger. Something that has happened against Madagascar and Sudan. It’s an unnecessary thing that has become part of Ghana’s national teams at all levels. The marking was poor and Niger had about five players in the Black Galaxies box against Ghana's three defenders. There was no awareness or whatsoever from Konadu Yiadom. The Hearts of Oak defender didn’t know the zone he was in and was just kicking the ball anyhow, then turned it into his own net.
Lifeless attack
Ghana’s attack was lifeless. Kofi Kordzi, Jonah Attuquaye, and Seidu Suraj offered close to nothing. Before Kordzi was taken off, he repeated almost everything he did against Sudan; can’t control or hold on to the ball, can’t attract players to himself as the main striker to free up others to play. The ball gets taken off him without his knowledge.
It’s surprising how he made Annor Walker’s final squad.
Suraj and Attuquay were just passengers on the flanks. No supplies coming to them and when it does, nothing comes out of.
Ghana’s reality exposed
The team is not good enough and it is a reflection of the quality of football we play in Ghana.
The Black Galaxies repeated the same mistakes throughout their three games; Danlad not knowing the time to run out of his area, Korsah unable to find a pass or tackle and win a ball, or seeing a mistake lead to a goal.
Ghana football needs factory reset.