Chris Hughton, Ghana’s national team coach, is hoping for an error-free performance from his side as they prepare to face the United States of America (USA). The Black Stars will conclude their October international friendly matches when they take on the USA at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
After conceding two goals in the second half of their first friendly game against Mexico at the Bank of America Stadium, Hughton expressed his desire for his team to avoid repeating the mistakes they made against the CONCACAF champions.
Hughton stated, “We were relatively satisfied with the first-half performance. However, when you’re playing against a very strong Mexican team in their own stadium, it felt like that, and on a pitch they are familiar with, when they raise their game, as they did in the second half, we had to match that and maintain ball possession during that second half period.”
He continued, “It’s important to note that in many games, the opposition may have a higher percentage of chances, but what we cannot afford is what we consider bad defensive goals. We believed the two goals we conceded were avoidable. If we can prevent such opportunities, perhaps we can come out of the game not as the better team but with what we consider a positive result.”
Chris Hughton believes the Black Stars weren't secure enough, stating that they gave away goals and weren't a big enough threat in Saturday's international friendly match against Mexico.Ghana Lost 2-0.
— Happy 98.9 FM (@HAPPY989FM) October 17, 2023
They play USA next 18 October, in Nashville.#HappySports#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/TyD5tjXwci
The game is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 a.m. Ghana will begin their 2026 World Cup qualifiers next month, facing Madagascar on November 13 and Comoros on November 21, before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast next year.
We haven't created chances for Inaki Williams to score goals – Chris Hughton on the forward's inability to find the back of the net.
— Happy 98.9 FM (@HAPPY989FM) October 17, 2023
In over 9 Apps for Ghana, Inaki is still searching for this first Black Stars goal. would he get his first against USA?#HappySports#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/C1qOOStwrD