U-23 AFCON: Asamoah Gyan Fires Black Meteors After Early Exit

Asamoah Gyan has slammed Black Meteors players following their early exit from the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.

The former Ghana captain, who recently announced his retirement, wrote on Twitter, “What I saw in this Black Meteors team is some players think they are bigger than the whole team. Small hype and fame? SHM. Modern football is not about only what you do with the ball. It’s about what you do without the ball. I see players thinking they can play alone. It’s about time we wake up and defend when we lose the ball. SMH”

Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were dashed on Friday when the Black Meteors failed to defeat Guinea in a must-win match in Tangier.

Guinea proved to be the superior team, earning a 1-1 draw and advancing to the semi-finals alongside Group A leaders Morocco.

Despite both teams entering the match with three points, Guinea held the advantage with a superior goal difference, knowing that a draw would secure their progression. In contrast, Ghana found themselves in desperate need of a victory, and had their defensive efforts been more resolute, Ibrahim Tanko’s men could have celebrated a different outcome.

Emmanuel Yeboah, the talented forward from CFR Cluj, capitalised on a series of defensive errors by Guinea, showcasing his skills with a superb finish to give Ghana the lead.

However, Ghana’s defensive woes persisted, as they conceded their eighth goal in just three games. In the 60th minute, Ibrahima Breze’s well-executed volley earned Guinea a well-deserved equaliser.