Chris Hughton, the coach of Ghana, claims it was his decision to bench Andre Dede Ayew for the match against Angola and maintains that managers must make tough choices.
At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday night, the Black Stars defeated the Black Antelopes 1-0 in a qualifier for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
As Chris Hughton began his tenure as Ghana’s coach, a late goal by substitute Antoine Semenyo separated the two teams.
But when Hughton left captain Dede Ayew off the matchday squad, many supporters were taken aback.
☑️ 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 🤝🏾 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝗻 ☑️
🫵🏾 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 👏🏾#BlackStars | #AFCON2023Q | #GHAANG | #BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/jM02pv3apm
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 23, 2023
As a result, Thomas Partey, the team’s captain, led the team against the Black Antelopes without the Nottingham Forest forward.
Hughton praised his captain’s abilities when asked about his decision to bench Ayew in the post-game press conference, but he acknowledged that sometimes coaches have to make tough choices.
“This is the choice you have as a head coach. You know the quality that Andre has you also know the quality that I like to think the squad have,” the Black Stars boss said.
“So these are very difficult decisions for me; certainly nothing to read into that. He is, has been and is still a very good player it was just my choice.”
📸: 🇬🇭 𝗚𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔 1️⃣-0️⃣ 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗔 🇦🇴#BlackStars | #AFCON2023Q | #GHAANG | #BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/9NzuVCNtPy
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 23, 2023
Hughon also discussed his team’s performance against Angola, stating that he was impressed with their use of chance.
However, he didn’t hesitate to add that his team needed to be more decisive in order to secure victories.
We’ve had 11 chances so that’s the first positive. If you were telling me that we played 96 minutes and we only had two or three chances then that’s worrying but the fact that we have had chances you always know…come the next game or next game after, you’re going to put some of the chances away.”
“The only thing we learned is that we need to be a little more clinical when we have the opportunities,” Hughton added.
On Monday, Ghana will play Angola once more in an effort to complete qualification for the 2023 AFCON.
