Chief executive officer of Databank Group, Kojo Addae-Mensah has said that it is unfair on the side of Ghanaians to blame the head coach of the Black Stars, Kwesi Appiah for the team’s failure to triumph over Benin last Tuesday at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Addae-Mensah jumped to the defense of Black Stars coach after some section of Ghanaians were lambasting him [Kwesi Appiah] after the opening day draw against Benin at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Ghana started their AFCON campaign with a disappointing 2-2 draw against the Squirrels of Benin who were thought to be the underdogs for the match played in the city of Ismalia.
According to the outspoken sports writer, John Boye as a professional player whose action was unprofessional in the game which led to Ghana drawing the game must also be blamed.
Ghana was stunned in the 55th minute when defender John Boye, already booked, stepped up to take a free kick inside his own half, moved away to let a teammate take it and was given a second yellow card.
Boye’s red card with 35 minutes left to play, left the Black Stars with a numerical disadvantage that their West African neighbours fully capitalised on to put the four-time champions under pressure and jittery for the rest of the match.
Speaking in an interview, on Happy FM’s Anopa Bousuo Sports with Odiasempa Kwame Oware, Addae-Mensah said, “Kwesi Appiah is not the only person in Egypt, he is there with 2 or 3 assistant coaches about 3 scouts and a whole technical team; if Kwesi Appiah loses a match, he is the only person we blame but when he wins, everyone in Egypt will come out and say I’m the one who told him to do this and that’s why we won but if we lose everyone tends to blame him. This is just too much for me, it’s just too much.”
Underdogs Benin hit back to secure a 2-2 draw with 10-man Ghana after the Black Stars had a player sent off for time-wasting in bizarre circumstances at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.
Michael Pote gave Benin a shock second-minute lead in the Group F match before goals from brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew put Ghana 2-1 ahead at halftime.
Pote then equalised for Benin with his second of the night in the 64th minute, diverting a low shot into the net after a short corner.
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah