Coach Ibrahim Tanko attributed the Black Meteors’ poor performance against Morocco in their second group match of the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to fatigue.
Ghana was crushed by the host nation at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex on Tuesday night, conceding five goals and scoring only one.
2023 U-23 Afcon: Morocco annihilate Ghana 5-1, book early semis spot
After beating Congo 3-2 on Sunday, Ghana had just a one-day rest while their Moroccan counterparts had two following their opening day victory over Guinea last Saturday.
The Black Meteors were far from its best on the night as they succumbed to an embarrassing defeat.
In his post-match reaction, Tanko noted that his charges were worn out because the time between the first and second games for recovery was limited. He further supported his claim with the result of Congo who went 3-1 down to Guinea with 10 men.
“Morocco deserved their victory. Our performance fell short, and aside from our lone goal, there’s little to take away from our side. It’s a night to forget.
“We had a day rest and they had two [days]. You could see from the game between Congo and Guinea how the scoreline was because Congo also had one day rest,” he told the press.
For Tanko, all hope is not lost for Ghana in the quest to go past the group stage and bid for a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We still have a chance in this tournament, we have a last game so we are going to prepare for that.”
Any result short of victory against Guinea in Tanger on Friday, June 30 will mark an end to the Black Meteors’ campaign at the 2023 U-23 Afcon.
