What went wrong with Ghana at AFCON 2023?

After finishing third in Group B which had Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique, Ghana’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign came to an end. It’s safe to say that the Black Stars’ performance was underwhelming.

The team only managed two points out of a possible nine points in three matches during the group stages, failing to win a single game. What specifically went wrong for Ghana, then?

Ghana’s tactical setup was a major problem for them during the tournament. Chris Hughton, the former coach, made the mistake of playing a 4-5-1 formation, which frequently left the team looking disconnected and lacking in attacking creativity. The lone striker frequently found himself alone up top as the midfield failed to dictate the game’s pace.

Player selection was another area in which Ghana struggled. When it came to selecting his starting lineup, Hughton frequently favoured older, more experienced and accomplished players over younger, more exciting alternatives. These were questionable decisions and the team suffered as a result, especially in the midfield and attack, from a lack of vigour and quickness.

The black stars’ defence also encountered some difficulties in Ivory Coast. They found it difficult to handle set pieces, and whenever opponents threatened from dead ball situations, they frequently appeared vulnerable. Furthermore, there were multiple occasions where opponents scored goals with ease because defenders were caught out of position.

See also: AFCON 2023: Prediction, Stat… All to know ahead of Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

Ultimately, it seemed as though the Ghana team lacked cohesiveness. The inability of the players to communicate with one another both on and off the pitch resulted in a lack of fluidity in their play. This was proved by the team’s inability to generate clear-cut scoring opportunities, frequently depending on individual skill rather than well-coordinated teamwork.

All in all, Ghana’s 2023 AFCON campaign was a letdown. The team’s early elimination from the tournament was caused by a variety of factors, including poor defensive play, questionable player selection, tactical errors, and a lack of cohesiveness.

A change in approach will be anticipated as it is evident that adjustments must be made if Ghana is to make a comeback to the highest division of African football, and they have already begun by firing their coach. However, another thing is for sure: if the Black Stars want to become one of Africa’s best teams again, they have a lot of work ahead of them.

See also: Revealed: See how much AFCON 2023 winners will earn