Local Black Stars coach Maxwell Konadu has admitted there is more room for improvement after his side’s humiliating campaign at the COSAFA Cup competition.
The Ghanaians suffered a shattering 3-0 defeat against Zambia on Wednesday which followed their surprised 2-1 reverse against Madagascar on Monday to exit the competition.
Ghana was favorite to land the coveted trophy but were given a reality check by both Madagascar and Zambia to crash out, shipping in 5 goals and scoring only once.
Having placed second in the last edition of the CHAN competition held in South Africa Maxwell Konadu admits the level in his side has dropped and requires extra work to reach the desired level.
“We are a disappointed by the score-line but that is football for you,” Konadu told Supersport TV in a post-match interview.
“We have to do a lot of work to ensure that we are able to qualify for the next CHAN competition.”
ZEBRAS AIM FOR FIRST COSAFA CUP FINAL
Botswana will be aiming to reach their first Cosafa Cup final when they take on Mozambique in the second semifinal on Thursday. Kick-off at the Moruleng Stadium will be at 19h30.
Botswana made waves in the tournament’s quarterfinals when they held hosts South Africa to a goalless draw before claiming a 7-6 penalty shootout victory to move into the semifinals.
It is the Zebras’ third appearance in the semis of the regional tournament, having also reached the last four in 2006 and 2007. They will hope it is third time lucky as far as their hopes of claiming a maiden place in the final is concerned.
As for Mozambique, they also had to go via the route of penalties to secure their semifinal berth. An entertaining 2-2 draw with Malawi was followed by a 5-4 shootout victory for the Mambas.
Mozambique are returning to the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five editions of the tournament, though only once did they do enough to reach the final: in 2008 they edged Madagascar in the semis before falling to South Africa in the championship-deciding match.
The teams have met in 15 official international matches according to FIFA records. The Mambas have claimed nine wins compared to just three for the Zebras.
Their most recent meeting was just two months ago – a friendly in Lobatse saw Mozambique claim a 2-1 victory.
The winners will face either Namibia or Madagascar in the Cosafa Cup final on Saturday.
BAFANA 'WISH' TO WIN PLATE FINAL - MASHABA
Bafana Bafana head coach Shakes Mashaba has declared that it is his wish to lead South Africa to Cosafa Plate success.
South Africa bowed out of the Cosafa Cup proper following a 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat to Botswana and will now face Malawi for a place in Plate final.
“We are playing Malawi and if we win that game, we will progress to the Plate final on Friday. That is our wish, to win the semis and the final. It will be good for these young boys to go home with something,” Mashaba is quoted as saying in a statement released by SAFA.
“We cannot afford to take Malawi lightly. They are giants in this region and they are also hurt by the defeat to Mozambique,” added Mashaba.
Mashaba insists the defeat to the Zebras is behind the team and believes the players will be ready for action, having been given Monday off to recover.
“We wanted them to recover fully, mentally and physically, hence the players were given a full day off. We expect good things on Wednesday against Malawi; that is our intention," Mashaba concluded.
South Africa bowed out of the Cosafa Cup proper following a 7-6 penalty shoot-out defeat to Botswana and will now face Malawi for a place in Plate final.
“We are playing Malawi and if we win that game, we will progress to the Plate final on Friday. That is our wish, to win the semis and the final. It will be good for these young boys to go home with something,” Mashaba is quoted as saying in a statement released by SAFA.
“We cannot afford to take Malawi lightly. They are giants in this region and they are also hurt by the defeat to Mozambique,” added Mashaba.
Mashaba insists the defeat to the Zebras is behind the team and believes the players will be ready for action, having been given Monday off to recover.
“We wanted them to recover fully, mentally and physically, hence the players were given a full day off. We expect good things on Wednesday against Malawi; that is our intention," Mashaba concluded.
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