President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his disappointment following the exit of the senior national male soccer team, the Black Stars from the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt.
The President, however, believes that the team will “bounce back.”
Like most Ghanaians, I am gutted by the exit of the Black Stars at AFCON 2019. I wish the team better luck next time. I am confident they will bounce back even stronger, and make all of us proud once again,” he posted on Twitter.
The Black Stars on Monday were knocked out of the tournament by Tunisia after a dramatic shootout which saw Caleb Ekuban’s penalty saved.
The match was decided on spot-kicks after it finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Tunisia took the lead after Taha Khenissi’s shot went in off the post but the Black Stars levelled in stoppage time as Rami Bedoui headed into his own net to force the match into extra time.
The development left many Ghanaians disappointed after many who had hitherto given up on the team built up new faith in the team and were hopeful that it could make it to the finals and win the trophy to end the country’s over three decades old AFCON trophy drought.
Akufo-Addo in a tweet after the game said he is confident that the team will do better when it makes the next appearance at the AFCON tournament.
The defeat has once again rekindled the debate about the country’s performance in penalty shootouts and what ought to be done going forward.
Meanwhile, Black Stars coach has called for more use of the Video Assistant Referee technology in Africa after a goal by Dede Ayew in the first half of the game was disallowed by the referee.
He said the Black Stars created good chances that could have ensured the team’s victory but the team accepts the results in good fate.
Source:Citinews
