A Ghanaian fan here in Abidjan has been handed over to the Ivorian Police for an attack on the head coach of the Ghana national teams, Chris Hughton, following the side’s opening day loss at the 2023 AFCON on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Cape Verde defeated the Ghanaians 2-1 to go top of Group B at the game played at the beautiful Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny on Sunday night. Pained about the result, the fan took his frustrations out on the coach and has now been arrested.
It took the intervention of some Ghanaian diplomats who were around to save the coach from the attack. Meanwhile, the unidentified man has been handed over to the Ivorian Police.
Cape Verde took a deserved lead in the 17th minute through Jamiro Monteiro. The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder was in the penalty box to tap home from goalkeeper, Richard Ofori’s palmed effort. Ghana’s midfielder, Majeed Ashimeru thought he had grabbed an equalizer only for it to be deservedly disallowed by referee Jean Jacques Ndola Ngambo after VAR checks in the first half.
However, Alexander Djiku got the equalizer for Ghana just 11 minutes into the second half. The France-based defender headed in from a Jordan Ayew delivery from a corner to draw Ghana level. With just 6 minutes to end of the game, substitute, Garry Rodrigues restored Cape Verde’s lead after he capitalized on a defensive blunder from the Ghanaian defense to roll the ball into an empty net for a memorable win.
It will be recalled that the Black Stars were also knocked out at the group stage of the 2021 edition in Cameroon and the fans were visibly angry after another disappointing defeat on Sunday night.
Ghana, needing a result to remain in the competition, will play Egypt on Thursday night in their next game at Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny.
