Meteors return from Algiers

Accra, Jan 5. GNA - The National Under-23 team, the Black Meteors returned home this afternoon from Algiers, Algeria after losing 0-1 to the Young Desert Warriors in the Olympic Games qualifying match last Friday.

The 28-member team made up of 21 players and seven officials arrived on board a Ghana Airways flight.

Speaking to journalists on arrival, coach Francis Oti Akenten said though the team lost, they played a good game but were let down by bad weather and soggy pitch.

Coach Oti Akenten was however emphatic on the fact that the return encounter would see the Meteors coming out victorious.

"The Algerians played a good game but we were better off and if we keep our focus, we would beat them in the return game."

Kuku Dadzie, the assistant coach of the team said they were not in any way affected by the absence of the foreign-based players.

Coach Dadzie also complained about the nature of the playing field and the poor officiating and could understand why the game was not played on the Olympic field which was free but instead made to use the soggy pitch.

He said they could have won the game in the second half, but the unfavourable circumstances prevented them from doing so. Skipper Yussif Chibsah said they have learnt their lessons from the bad experience, but that that this experience has toughened them for the second leg scheduled for February 22 at the Accra Sports stadium. Mr Joe Aggrey Deputy Minister of Education Youth and Sports met the team on their arrival.