Carlos Queiroz
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz believes two soft goals conceded before half-time damaged Ghana’s confidence and changed the course of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier following theor 4-2 loss against The Gambia.
Ghana looked in control at the Accra Sports Stadium after Ernest Nuamah converted a penalty before Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the lead with a low finish.
However, The Gambia scored from the spot and equalised before the break, leaving the Black Stars stunned.
“Especially in the first half after we were leading 2-0. We conceded two goals very easily, and those two goals turned the story of the game around,” Queiroz said.
The Portuguese coach said the goals affected his players’ confidence and made it difficult for them to regain control after the interval.
“When we should have gone for an easy result in the second half, those two goals killed the morale and made my players nervous,” he added.
Queiroz also defended his decision to give opportunities to young players, insisting he has never been afraid to trust inexperienced footballers.
“Never in my life am I afraid to start a new player. Giving opportunities to players at 17, 18 years old has always been my benchmark,” he said.
He praised substitutes Ibrahim Sulemana and Augustine Boakye for their impact after coming on, with particular praise for Boakye, whom he handed his first national team call-up.
“Step by step, he is a player who deserves to be here,” Queiroz said.
The coach explained that limited match fitness among players including Kojo Oppong Peprah, Kwasi Sibo and Sulemana forced him to manage the squad carefully after starting with only two fit centre-backs.
BY Wletsu Ransford