Can Ghana learn from their agonizing defeat?

There’s nothing worse in professional sport than losing a game that you thoroughly deserved to win, and Ghana have been unlucky on this matter throughout their history at significant competitions. The Black Stars luck ran out again in the African Cup of Nations 2019, where they, unfortunately, lost on penalties after doing so well to get back into the game and this throws back into their successful, but bittersweet World Cup campaign in 2010.

So, how does this disappointment compare to previous shortcomings in competitions, and could there be signs that the Ghanaian luck could be about to change soon?

Penalty Heartbreak

The round of 16 clash with Tunisia in the 2019 African Cup of Nations was a true test for the Black Star players, and they did remarkably well to force the game into an extra period. Ghana fell behind with 20 minutes remaining after a goal from Taha Yassine Khenissi. However, the attitude of the Ghanaian players was perfect, and their response was excellent. They eventually levelled the scores in injury time courtesy of an own goal from Rami Bedoui.

Tunisia were fortunate that Ghana was wasteful in front of goal as they registered 23 shots, but only six of these were on target. The Tunisians were happy to play defensive tactics throughout the game and looked comfortable for the game to go to a shootout. In fact, Tunisia gets to the quarterfinals without winning a single game in regular time: they drew 3 games in group stages and now drew again.

Caleb Ekuban’s miss, coupled with Tunisia’s five scored penalties meant that it was more heartbreak for Ghana on the international stage, and it came in a match they didn’t deserve to lose. Luck wasn’t on their side and maybe the Tunisians are just blessed with a successful ‘drawing’ til the final run, like Portugal in the Euro 2016.

2010 World Cup

It’s hard to talk about agonizing defeats concerning Ghana without mentioning the devastating 2010 World Cup campaign. After overcoming the USA in the round of 16, the Black Stars had a wonderful chance to put their names in the record books by becoming the first African side to ever make it to the semi-final stage of the World Cup. And but for a moment of unsportsmanlike behaviour by Luis Suarez; Ghana would have done it.

Sulley Muntari had put the national side ahead just before half time, but they were quickly pegged back ten minutes into the second half after a wonderful strike from Diego Forlan. The game rolled into the extra-time period of 30 minutes, and the Ghanaian’s got their chance in the final second of the game after Luis Suarez stopped the ball from crossing the line with his hand.

The current Barcelona forward stopped a clear goal by using his hand, but Ghana still had a chance from 12 yards. Unfortunately, Asamoah Gyan fired over, and Ghana’s chance was gone. The match entered penalties, and after misses from John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah, the Uruguayans qualified. A dramatic end to a fairy-tale story.

Future

Both of these near misses have taught the national side valuable lessons that they must improve on if they are to make the next step at international competitions. The missed chances in both games were overwhelming and being wasteful at the business end of competitions is something that needs to change. The best sides in the world are ruthless when they get their chances, and that is something the Black Stars are going to have to improve on.

The quality coming through for the national side means that they could foreseeably become the first African side in the semi-finals of the World Cup, and the young players will be a prominent fixture in the Ghana side for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Much like the Chicago Bears being the outsiders in the NFL Super Bowl odds, there will be low expectations for Ghana to succeed, but they can again surprise fans’ by replicating the form that got them within an each of history in 2010.