Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu insists he side deserved to win their Group C opener against Congo despite a scrappy display.
The Local Black Stars needed a defected effort on the foot of midfielder Theophilus Anobaah to record a 1-0 win at the Mangaung Free State Stadium.
Ghana were lucky not to have considered a goal after Congo’s Red Devils hit the woodwork twice and missed a sitter in the second half.
Konadu has jumped to the defence of his players and said they worked hard for the win.
“It was not a bad game but l cannot say we played well either. Both teams had chances to win and today it was us who prevailed,’’ the former Kotoko trainer said.
“We must thank the initiative of this competition which allows the world to see young and able talent from Africa.
“I think we can still give a better performance and play more as a team but overall I think we deserved the victory.
“Our performance at the last edition in Sudan was not good and it is one motivating factor that we wanted to do better here in South Africa.
“In my view due to the success of the senior Black Stars the pressure to perform is on every Ghanaian team.â€
Ghana will play Group leaders Libya on Friday.