C.K Akonnor cites COVID-19 restrictions for South Africa defeat

Head coach of the Black Stars, Charles Akonnor has disclosed what led to the Black Stars of Ghana losing 1-0 to South Africa in an underwhelming display on Monday night.

The Black Stars were beaten by the Bafana Bafana with a late strike in the 83rd minute from Maritzburg United striker, Bongokuhle Hlongwane.

Earlier Percy Tau had a header ruled out for offside but replays showed that the new Al-Ahly forward was indeed onside but there is no VAR so the linesman’s decision stood.

Speaking in the post match press conference C.K Akonnor blamed the COVID-19 restriction which meant Ghana lost seven players for the South African trip.

“The whole issue has been a problem, not just me but other national team coaches across the World. Today, you have a plan, tomorrow you wake up and a player has COVID-19 and he cannot join the team. Others are not allowed to join the team for the same reason,” Akonnor said.

“I don’t know if CAF and FIFA are handling the situation well because one may ask, can’t we play somewhere else if we cannot bring our players here. There are so many questions to answer and its not making us comfortable. It’s so difficult.

“We come under severe pressure from our nation, we have to win at all cost yet this COVID-19 issue has become a major setback and I don’t know if CAF and FIFA are handling the situation very well.”