The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has held a crucial meeting with embattled coach Chris Hughton following the Black Stars’ lacklustre performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The team suffered a 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde, sparking criticism of Hughton’s controversial lineup and questionable tactics.
In the wake of the defeat, a fan reportedly confronted Hughton in a heated exchange, but the GFA has downplayed the incident, stating that it was addressed internally without any arrests being made. Nevertheless, the association met with the under-fire coach and expressed its support, according to Henry Asante-Twum, the GFA’s spokesperson.
“We have had a meeting with the coach and gave him 100% assurance that we are solidly behind him,” Asante-Twum told BBC Sport.
“We think it is possible for the team to win the two remaining matches to make it to the next round.”
With Egypt looming as their next opponent, Hughton faces immense pressure to deliver a victory and silence his doubters. His track record thus far has been uninspiring, with the Black Stars struggling to impose themselves against less fancied opposition. The team’s poor form has prompted questions about Hughton’s ability to lead the side to success.
Before the AFCON, Hughton’s record in five games was unconvincing, with a lone victory over Madagascar and defeats to Comoros, Mexico, and the United States. A 0-0 draw against Namibia just before the tournament did little to alleviate concerns about the team’s preparedness.
Against this backdrop, Hughton must now rally his troops and devise a strategy to overcome Egypt, a team also facing scrutiny after their unexpected draw against Mozambique. It promises to be a tense encounter, with both sides desperate for a win to revive their flagging campaigns.
By Enoch Fiifi Forson | Abidjan, Ivory Coast.