TotalEnergies U-23 AFCON: Five things we learned from Ghana’s disappointing defeat to Morocco – Can the Black Meteors make it to the semis?

Black Meteors were thrashed in their second group game of the ongoing U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament on Tuesday, as Morocco secured a resounding 5-1 victory in Rabat.

Ibrahim Tanko’s side proved no match for a dominant Moroccan team that controlled the game from start to finish. The night turned even more humiliating for Ghana as a sixth goal was disallowed with the help of VAR.

Ghana are now in a precarious position, on the verge of exiting the tournament early and failing to qualify for the Olympic Games. To advance, Ghana must win their final match against Guinea, who also have three points but a better goal difference. Guinea would qualify with a draw, while Ghana’s only chance of reaching the semi-final is with a decisive win.

Reflecting on the match, here are five key takeaways:

Morocco too good

Morocco may have struggled to beat Guinea in their first game, needing two late penalties, but they were absolutely fantastic against Ghana. Led by their captain Abde, who plays for Spanish giants Barcelona, Morocco demonstrated fantastic football, scoring spectacular goals and displaying precise passing and intelligent movement. Goalkeeper Alaa Bellaarouch’s notable saves contributed to their overall performance. Morocco’s strong form positions them as serious tournament contenders, leaving a lasting impression on both opponents and fans.

Defensive woes plague Black Meteors

Black Meteors’ defensive woes continue as they have conceded the highest number of goals in the tournament so far, with seven goals in two games. Coach Tanko is expected to make changes to the backline, including a potential goalkeeper switch from Ibrahim Danland to Jordan Amissah, following criticism of the Kotoko man. Rectifying their defensive weaknesses is crucial for the team’s success in their last match, where a victory is necessary to stay alive.

Mistakes not minimised

Tanko’s pre-game plan of minimising mistakes was not followed by the Black Meteors during their match against Morocco. The team made numerous mistakes, resulting in a shambolic performance and a crushing defeat. Tanko bears responsibility for the team’s shortcomings, which must be addressed before the crucial game against Guinea. Tanko must address the team’s shortcomings and instil a winning mentality.

Pressure on Tanko

Black Meteors haven’t lived up to expectations in Morocco, calling into question Tanko’s coaching abilities. Tanko has come under increased scrutiny following the team’s near-collapse against Congo and heavy defeat against Morocco. Friday’s match against Guinea has now become a must-win situation for him in order to keep his job as coach of the Black Meteors. The former Black Stars assistant coach must prove his worth and make the right tactical decisions to silence his critics. The result of the game against Guinea will determine Tanko’s coaching tenure as well as the team’s qualification for the next stage of the tournament. Tanko is under increasing pressure to deliver a positive outcome.

Another failure to qualify for the Olympic Games looms large

In 2019, Ghana came within a penalty kick away from qualifying for the Olympic Games, but they fell short. It would have ended their wait, having last qualified for the global showpiece in 2004. Thus, coming into this year’s tournament, the main objective has been to secure qualification. However, that dream is in real danger following Tuesday’s hammering. Failure to beat Guinea and qualify for the last four means the wait for an Olympic spot will continue for at least another four years. Ghana must beat Guinea and then finish among the best three teams to secure qualification to Paris.

Only a win on Friday will guarantee the Black Meteors a place in the semifinals.

Credit: 3NEWS (TV3 GHANA)