CHAN 2014: Ghana failed to clinch ultimate again
Ghana’s pedigree as a superior powerhouse in continental football was taken to a different height as their representatives at the 2014 Championship of African Nations Cup (CHAN) in South Africa exhibited a spirited performance yet failed to clinch the trophy.
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It was the second time in the history of the tournament that Ghana had come close to snatching the coveted trophy but hard luck saw them lose to Libya who grabbed the ultimate.
Ghana’s defeat notwithstanding, the heroics of goalkeeper Stephen Adams, would forever remain indelible on the minds of football fans as it was some of his magnificent saves that illuminated the competition and kept Coach Maxwell Konadu’s Stars in the championship.
Adams, with the assistance of his resilient backline, composed of Tijani Joshua, Nuru Sulley, Kwabena Adusei and Abeiku Ainooson, managed to carry the Stars through.
History was waiting to repeat itself on that day as the loal Black Stars had to battle through an exhaustive 120 minutes of football but eventually lost out to the Libyans on penalties, with Tijani, a hero turned villain, missing his last kick to leave many Ghanaians heartbroken.
In the maiden edition, the Stars were on the path of winning the trophy when Congo DR sprang a surprise to rob them of the trophy.
Many had ruled the Stars out on an account of their previous campaign, which saw them pick only a point at the preliminary stage of the tournament.
But Maxwell Konadu and his boys managed to restore the confidence of Ghanaians as the Stars gradually charted a path to the final.
The Stars managed a1-0 victory in their first game against Congo, drew 1-1 with Libya in a thrilling encounter before beating Ethiopia 1-0 to face Congo DR in the quarter-finals.
The Ghanaians beat Congo DR and subsequently eliminated Nigeria at the semi-finals to face Libya in the final.