Ghanaian football coach Chris Hughton found himself the target of a fan’s attack at the team’s hotel following their 2-1 loss to Cape Verde in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B opener on Sunday.
The defeat, with Jamiro Monteiro’s early 17th-minute goal and Garry Rodrigues’ last-minute strike, left the Black Stars disappointed despite Alexander Djiku’s equalizer in the second half.
According to reports from Ghanaian journalist Saddick Adams, a Black Stars supporter physically attacked Hughton after the match. The assailant has been arrested, thanks to the intervention of Ghanaian diplomats present, and has since been handed over to the Ivorian Police.
Reflecting on the defeat, Coach Hughton expressed deep disappointment, stating, “We are incredibly, hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan. We changed the way of playing, the system a bit so that we could start on the front foot.”
Hughton further explained the strategic adjustments made, emphasizing a more offensive approach, but conceded that the early goal against them had a significant impact on the team’s morale. Despite showing promise in getting back into the game, the outcome left the team profoundly disappointed.
Ghana’s next challenge in Group B will be against Egypt on Thursday, with the kick-off scheduled for 10 pm CAT. The team will be looking to regroup and bounce back from the opening defeat in their quest for success in the ongoing Afcon tournament.
