The Black Stars encounter with the Pharaohs of Egypt at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon was an opportunity for new players who had not had the chance to play in the first two games of the competition to be given that chance, Moses Foh-Amoaning, a sports analyst, has said.
According to him, there was not much to play for because the Black Stars had already qualified for the next stage of the competition, hence new players be given the opportunity to play, a decision that was eventually taken by the coach.
The Black Stars suffered their first defeat at the 2017 Cup of Nations when they lost 0-1 to the Pharaohs of Egypt in their last group game on Wednesday January 25.
Ghana finished second in Group D behind Egypt with six points to book a quarterfinal date with Group C winner DR Congo on Sunday 29 January at Oyem.
A goal from Mohammed Salah in the 10th minute was enough for Egypt to go top of Group D with seven points.
The Pharaohs threatened first in the second minute with a long range strike from Mohammed Elneny but his shot flew wide over the bar.
But speaking in relation to the match in an interview with host Chief Jerry Forson on Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Thursday January 26, the former president of the Ghana Boxing Association said: “The Egypt encounter, for me, was a match we needed to introduce some of the players who never had the opportunity to play in the first two games.
“All those boys were introduced and so the team was a bit new. The Egyptians won, but I think on the day our performance was good, the possession was good. Some of the young players showed that when given the opportunity they would perform.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
