GhanaFA

Stevanovic thrilled to overcome Congo

12 years ago
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Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic expressed his delight on Friday at the character shown by the Black Stars in beating Congo 3-1 in a 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier.

The Black Stars had to endure a difficult start to the game when defender Daniel Opare was forced into into clearing a corner kick off the line.

Goran's side had the best chance in the first half at the Baba Yara Stadium to have opened the scoring when Prince Tagoe side-footed wide from three yards with the goalkeeper parrying Sulley Muntari's follow up shot.

However, the Black Stars produced a dominant second half display to win the game when Isaac Vorsah and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu grabbed debut goals for the senior side and Tagoe, accounting for his earlier miss, by scoring.

Stevanovic admits to a slow start but credits his side for their improved second half performance.

"It was a great second half performance. They are still getting together," Goran said in a post match interview.

"Most of the players have had a long season and have other issues to sort out with their clubs over their futures. But I think they were good later on. The second half was OK."

Ghana open a three-point lead in Group I with Sudan yet to play Swaziland in the other qualifying match this weekend.

"I am satisfied. I know it was not going to be easy, Congo are tough. Winning the first game didn't mean we were going to walk over them.

"But I congratulate the players for the result. It was a good effort," the Ghana coach said.

The Black Stars' next game in the campaign would be at home against Swaziland later in September.