Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe took responsibility for his team’s 1-0 defeat against Ghana, expressing regret for the missed opportunities.
In the Group I opener at the Baba Yara Stadium, Inaki Williams secured the victory for the Black Stars.
Rakotondrabe acknowledged the team’s strong performance, stating, “This is just the beginning of the tournament. We have lost 1-0, but it is too early to decide who qualifies. We are behind, but I believe we will catch up against Chad on Monday.”
Reflecting on the game, he noted, “We had the better chances and we hit the bar. But that is football; we missed our chance, and they scored theirs. I take responsibility because I am the coach. I take the blame for what happened.”
Rakotondrabe also analyzed the tactical shift in the second half, saying, “In the first 45 minutes, we were able to challenge Ghana. In the second half, he brought Majeed Ashimeru, and that changed everything. I told the boys to stop him because he brought energy. We tried and tried [but it did not work].”
Despite the setback, Rakotondrabe remains optimistic about Madagascar’s chances in the ongoing tournament, emphasizing the need to regroup and prepare for their next game against Chad.
