Black Meteors coach demands focus, positive attitude against Morocco
Black Meteors head coach Ibrahim Tanko expects his players to respond positively and display mental strength against Morocco in their second group clash at the ongoing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament after their nervy 3-2 victory over Congo last Sunday.
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The coach drew useful lessons from that match and emphasised the need for his team to remain focused as they face the host team on Tuesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Ghana let slip a comfortable 3-0 lead and conceded two late goals, raising concerns about their mental fortitude and game management. The sloppy performance in added time drew criticism from Coach Tanko who vowed to address the issues and prepare the team to be battle-ready for the Moroccans who rallied from a goal down to defeat Guinea 2-1 in the tournament opener last Saturday.
High stakes
The stakes are high in today's encounter as the winner is guaranteed a place in the semi-finals and a step away from qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics. On the other hand, a draw could throw the group wide open again and intensify the competition for the two slots for the penultimate round. For Coach Tanko, the players need to demonstrate a positive attitude and build momentum to rise to the occasion in subsequent matches.
“I am so angry with my players. How could we fail to manage the game well and finish like this. I think my players had forgotten that they were playing a major tournament to let in two goals towards the end of the match,” a livid Tanko said in a post-match interview.
“Some of the players showed tiredness and I was not happy with the body language of some of the substitutes. We will address these things and hope that the next game will be better."
After coming off the bench and delivering two goals and an assist in a man-of-the-match performance, Emmanuel Yeboah put his best foot forward for a starting role against Morocco, which could offer the Ghana gaffer some selection challenges. The 20-year-old player is looking forward to another spirited performance as he teams up with Ernest Nuamah, Fatawu Issahaku and Skipper Afriyie Barnieh to give Ghana many options in attack against a Moroccan side which will be motivated for a win after their shaky start.
"We couldn't afford to falter today against Congo and we will gain momentum as the tournament progresses," said Yeboah of Romanian side, Cluj FC.
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The introduction of Yeboah and Ibrahim Hafiz at the start of the second half proved the turning point in last Sunday’s match and could inspire Coach Tanko to potentially tinker with his starting line-up against a swift Moroccan side which will undoubtedly benefit from a partisan home support.
Tactical Morocco
The Moroccans are one of the most tactically disciplined side in the competition and their ability to overcome a goal deficit to beat Guinea speaks of their positive mental strength.
So far, the tournament has been replete with positive stories of teams fighting from behind to record late wins, including Mali's 3-1 victory over Gabon last Sunday. And for the Meteors, the Congolese provided the needed stimulus for them to sit up and avoid complacency in matches.
Coach Issame Charaï believes they will come good in their next matches as his team showed character in their narrow win and hopes for a similar response against Ghana today.
Meanwhile, Gabonese referee Tanguy Patrice Mebiame has been appointed to take charge of today's match. He will be assisted on the lines by Joel Wonka Doe from Liberia and Dimbiniaina Andriatianrivelo from Madagascar.
The Fourth Official will be Adalbert Diouf from Senegal with Issaka Adamou from Niger as the Match Commissioner.