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The consequences of losing to Cape Verde in their opening match of the 2023 AFCON almost turned dire for Ghanaian national team coach Chris Hughton
Following Ghana's shock 2-1 defeat to the Cape Verde Islands in the Africa Cup of Nations finals, head coach Chris Hughton faced a tense confrontation at the team's hotel with a disgruntled supporter who attempted to physically attack him.
How it happened
According to Reuters, the incident occurred as the team was returning to their hotel. The fan, who was visibly angry, approached Hughton with the intent of expressing his frustration over the team's performance.
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Team officials reported that the situation escalated to a verbal confrontation but did not result in any physical contact, as security officials swiftly intervened and took the fan away.
Chris Hughton’s record with Ghana
Chris Hughton, a former Ireland international with Ghanaian heritage, has been steering the Ghanaian team since March 2023, after having contributed as a technical advisor during the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.
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His tenure so far includes four wins in 11 games. This recent defeat by Cape Verde, considered one of the smaller teams in the tournament, follows a previous loss to the Comoros Islands in the World Cup qualifiers last November.
Coach Chris Hughton's Reaction
During a press conference, Hughton expressed his deep disappointment with the game's outcome. He acknowledged the team's game plan, noting a shift in their style of play and the formation to be more offensive. Despite conceding an early goal, Ghana managed to equalise in the second half but eventually succumbed to a stoppage-time strike by Garry Rodrigues.
Hughton also recognised the high expectations from Ghanaian fans regarding the team's performance in the tournament, emphasising the shared disappointment among the players and himself. The incident at the hotel underscores the intense pressure and high stakes involved in international football, especially on a continent as passionate about the sport as Africa.
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