Ghana coach Appiah confident of World Cup progress despite defeat to USA

Published on: 17 June 2014
Ghana coach Appiah confident of World Cup progress despite defeat to USA
Kwesi Appiah says Ghana can reach the knock-out phase of the World Cup

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says the Black Stars are capable of reaching the knock-out stages of the 2014 World Cup despite their 2-1 defeat to Group G rivals the United States on Monday night.

The Black Stars were stunned after just 30 seconds when Clint Dempsey finished off a great move down the left by weaving through the Africans' defence to beat Adam Kwarasey at the keeper's far post.

Andre Ayew struck an 82nd minute equaliser for the Black Stars but only four minutes later second-half substitute John Brooks headed a late corner through the defence and past Kwarasey to send the huge USA support at Estadio das Dunas wild.

Ghana, quarter-finalists in 2010, now face a huge task to qualify from a group which includes Germany and Portugal. Earlier, Germany thumped Portugal 4-0.

Appiah, the first Ghanaian to coach the side at the World Cup, will lead the squad to play Germany in Fortaleza on June 21.

Appiah looked downcast after Monday's game, but said it's not over yet: "Looking at the performance, we did not do badly. I don't think we disgraced ourselves.

"We still have two games to play, so we're not out of it yet."

Ghana came to Brazil hoping to improve on their performance in 2010 when they narrowly failed to make the semi-finals when striker Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty against Uruguay after Luis Suarez stopped the ball with his hand on the line.

Uruguay went on to win the penalty shoot-out, and later claimed a fourth place finish.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more