Chairman of the Black Meteors Management Committee, Frederick Acheampong has brushed off claims of player revolt at the camp of the Black Meteors that many attribute to their pre-mature exit from the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Meteors started the tournament with a win against Congo by 3 goals to 2 to commence their journey.
The team faced the host nation Morroco where Ghana was thumped by five goals to one. In the final group fixture, Ghana flapped the opportunity to make it to the next stage as they drew with Guinea and resulted in their elimination.
After three rounds of matches Ghana conceded eight goals while scoring five goals.
The early elimination meant Ghana failed to secure the ticket to the Olympic Games for the 5th consecutive time since 2004.
Mr Acheampong debunked the earlier camp news that suggested that there was a player revolt in camp.
“They asked for their winning bonus for the Algeria game and we spoke to the ministry and ministry agreed and they signed the chèques. They sent copies of the chèques to us to show to the team. The bonuses that everyone has been paid. Everyone who participated in the team received it For instance when we played Mozambique. Before then the ministry had explained to us that the bonuses for the Algerian game had been approved and so they were processing it and so when they ask we went back to the ministry and truly they sent us copies from the chèques region and the names of the players so they said to us and we told them their chèques were ready in Ghana.” He disclosed
Dr. Acheampong lamented on the team’s weakest link being the defence. He said Ghana’s backline consistently displayed a level of play that was completely at odds with their expectations.
“During the qualifiers one department that we had so much hope in was our defense and in the qualifiers we played four games and we conceded two goals so it proves to us that it’s the strongest of all departments but when we arrived at the tournament there were some changes in defense. Alex opoku couldn’t turn up for the tournament, the coaches had to make some changes and during the tournament our defensive department turned out to be our weakest department. We conceded 8 goals in 3 matches,” he said.
Ghana’s quest to make a return to the Olympic Games has once again been dashed and the wait for an appearance extends to yet another 4. The Black Meteors last made it to the Olympic Games in 2004 in Athens.
Ghana’s delegation made of players, technical staff and team officials left Morocco on Sunday evening and arrived in Accra early Monday morning.
Story by: Rashad Usman Sinah
