We Lost To Ill-Luck – Black Stars

Ghana’s loss to Zambia in the semi-final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday has continued to cause disappointment among fans and has also shocked bookmakers.

The Black Stars’ Assistant Coach blamed ill-luck for the team’s shocking exit.

Ghana, a pre-tournament favourite, was pipped 1-0 by Zambia in their semi-final encounter in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

The loss was compounded by the first half penalty miss by star player, Asamoah Gyan.

Assistant Coach Kwesi Appiah said the team played well and did not deserve to lose.

“We dominated possession throughout the game. It was unfortunate they scored from the two chances that came their way. Personally, I don’t think something went wrong with the team. We were unlucky,’’ he told journalists after the match.

He also said the team bore no grudge against Gyan for missing the penalty, a reminder of the decisive penalty he missed during the 2010 World Cup, blamed for Ghana’s inability to reach the last four.

“That is the issue with penalty kicks. He (Gyan) is the best penalty taker in the team and it’s unfortunate he failed to score. We have to encourage him rather than bring him down,” Appiah said.

The Chipolopolo of Zambia will face Cote d’Ivoire in Sunday’s final, after the Ivoriens also pipped Mali 1-0 in their semi-final clash in Libreville, Gabon.

Ghana, which has now missed a chance to end a 30-year Nations Cup drought, will play Mali in the losers’ final tomorrow.