‘We conceded two goals very easily’ – Queiroz reflects on Gambia defeat

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has blamed two cheaply conceded goals before half-time for Ghana’s collapse in the 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana appeared to be in control after taking a 2-0 lead through Ernest Nuamah’s penalty and Felix Afena-Gyan’s low drive.

However, The Gambia pulled one back from the spot before scoring again before the break to level the game and shift the momentum in their favour.

Queiroz said the two goals had a major psychological impact on his players and affected their performance in the second half.

“This was one of those days when everything went wrong for our team. Especially in the first half after we were leading 2-0. We conceded two goals very easily, and those two goals turned the story of the game around,” Queiroz said.

“At the moment we should have gone for an easy result in the second half, those two goals in the first half killed the morale and made my players nervous.”

The Portuguese coach also defended his approach to introducing new players, insisting that he has never been reluctant to give young players opportunities.

“Never in my life am I afraid to start a new player. Giving opportunities to players at 17, 18 years old has always been my benchmark,” he said.

Queiroz praised substitutes Ibrahim Sulemana and Augustine Boakye for their impact after coming on, saying both players helped push the team forward.

“I think Ibrahim came very well into the game, he had a good performance in the second half. He brought the team forward. I think Augustine brought the team forward as well,” he said.

The coach also highlighted Boakye’s progress, recalling that he handed the forward his first Black Stars call-up for the World Cup.

“I called him for the first time to the national team for the World Cup. Everybody was surprised by that. Now you saw during the game, step by step, that he is a player who deserves to be here,” Queiroz added.

Queiroz further explained that squad management influenced some of his selection decisions, with several players lacking sufficient match fitness or minutes.

He mentioned Kojo Oppong Peprah, Kwasi Sibo and Ibrahim Sulemana among those whose playing time had to be carefully managed.

“We have the best players available to play this game. When some of our players are not on fresh legs, we have to make decisions to have solutions,” he said.

The defeat leaves Ghana needing to regroup as the Black Stars continue their qualifying campaign.