Mamelodi Sundowns’ head coach, Brilliant Manqoba Ferrimant, attributes Ghana’s loss to Cape Verde in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to defensive lapses, particularly criticizing the Black Stars’ backline.
The opening game of the tournament saw Ghana succumbing to a 2-1 defeat, with a late goal arising from what Ferrimant deems as calamitous defending.
In his post-game analysis, Coach Ferrimant pulls no punches, spotlighting a troubling trend among players who opt to walk instead of running when defending. This, he believes, significantly impacted the team’s overall performance on the field.
“Playing in Europe doesn’t guarantee superiority,” Ferrimant asserts, underscoring that despite having players in prestigious European leagues, Ghana struggled to navigate critical situations during the match. He specifically calls out instances where Ghanaian players opted to walk instead of run in defense—a flaw he deems unacceptable.
Expressing his frustration, Ferrimant states, “You can’t focus solely on Ofori. Some players believe their European experience exempts them from working hard.” He questions the dedication of certain players, hinting that those lacking the passion to give their best should contemplate staying home.
Post the Cape Verde defeat, Ghana’s Black Stars are gearing up for their second Group B clash against Egypt on Thursday, January 18. The team confronts the task of regrouping and rectifying defensive issues highlighted by Coach Ferrimant as they strive for a more positive outcome in the upcoming match.
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