Appiah: Beating Nigeria is always special

Kwesi Appiah has admitted that edging out Nigeria to the All Africa Games slot is a great plus for the team following a difficult build up to the game.

Ghana on Sunday overturned a 3-1 deficit to beat their rivals Nigeria 2-0 in Kumasi and go through on away goals.

The victory in Kumasi means Ghana have knocked out Nigeria from both the women and men's football competition at the All Africa Games.

"Beating Nigeria at any level is always special for the Ghanaian population," Appiah said to www.ghanafa.org, a day after the feat.

"The qualification [to the All Africa Games] can somehow make up for the failure to reach the 2012 Olympic Games and I hope we can be happy with that."

The Black Meteors in the build up to the game, suffered player pull-outs due to club commitments but Appiah, who missed more than half the squad that played in the first leg, put together a completely different set to turn around the fixture.

"I see this [qualification] as a good development in our quest for seeking to be the best and having a group to look at in the future," the Ghana coach said.

Appiah, who was handed the temporary role of overseeing qualification says he is proud to have achieved it but heaped praise on the committed group.

For the coach, the players should be commended for overcoming the huge task against a tough side.

"My job was very clear, to ensure qualification and we did it, so I am done. I am happy we did it. It was done with a very committed group. We lost about ten players in the days leading up to the game because they had to return to their bases.

"We had to bring on some new faces and fashion out new tactics which they embraced well.

"On the day, we missed some but took our chances. However, the outcome shows how strong, committed and determined they [players] were to achieve something. They deserve every commendation for the job done."