Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Brilliant Manqoba Ferrimant, attributes Ghana’s defeat to Cape Verde in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations to poor defending, specifically pointing out flaws in the Black Stars’ backline. In the opening game of the tournament, Ghana succumbed to a 2-1 loss, with a late goal resulting from what Ferrimant describes as disastrous defending.
In his post-game analysis, Coach Brilliant Manqoba Ferrimant pulls no punches in criticizing Ghana’s defensive performance. He highlights a concerning tendency among players to walk instead of running when defending, shedding light on an issue that he believes affected the team’s overall performance.
“That’s why we need to understand that playing in Europe doesn’t mean you’re better than the others,” Ferrimant asserts, emphasizing that despite having players in top European leagues, Ghana struggled to handle critical situations on the field. He singles out instances where Ghanaian players were observed walking rather than running to defend, a lapse he finds unacceptable.
The Mamelodi Sundowns coach goes on to express his frustration, stating, “You can’t look at Ofori only. There are some players who also think they are at a better level because they are playing in Europe, so they won’t work hard.” Ferrimant questions the commitment of certain players, suggesting that those who lack the hunger to play and give their best should consider staying home.
Following the defeat to Cape Verde, Ghana’s Black Stars are gearing up for their second Group B encounter against Egypt on Thursday, January 18. The team faces the challenge of regrouping and addressing defensive issues highlighted by Coach Ferrimant as they aim for a more positive outcome in the upcoming match.
