Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says Africa's failure to progress into the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time since 1982 isn't necessarily a sign that the continent is regressing on the world stage.
Following Senegal's somewhat controversial failure to reach the knockout stage, Appiah feels it has not all been gloomy for the African contingent in Russia.
"It has been a difficult campaign for the African teams and we can't run away from that," Appiah told KweséESPN.
"With five teams you would have expected at least one through and for the continent it is just not good but you can't judge football on the continent solely by a difficult tournament in Russia."
"There is no African team in the next round but the margins were very small. Nigeria gave everything and left the tournament with their reputation intact," Appiah added.
"Morocco impressed and you can make the case that maybe they were unlucky and Senegal are heading home with four points because of yellow cards so the little details for many of the African teams have.
"If you look at the way many of the African teams have gone out to late goals, it is obvious that there is an issue with concentration in key moments that have to be addressed," he continued.
"There were also too many goals conceded from set pieces which means for us coaches on the continent these are areas to work and improve on."
"I have enjoyed watching it. Naturally I would have wanted to be there and I hope that at the next World Cup we are there but I am learning a lot from watching on TV," the Black Stars boss noted.
"There is so much you can pick from a game and for me this tournament has been a great learning experience.
"It has been a great World Cup and a very difficult tournament to predict because every team has improved and the games are very competitive.
"I have been impressed by Croatia and I think Belgium have done a superb job so far. England look to me like they are playing with a lot more freedom. These three teams for me are all capable of going all the way."
Source: Footballghana
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His analysis are on point, a lot needs to be done to our players psychologically, that is where we've got a problem
ARE YOU ALSO THINKING YOU ARE A COACH? LET SOME ONE TELL THIS GUY TO KEEP QUITE. YOU WENT TO BRAZIL TO DISGRACE THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND BECOUSE OF THIS DISGRACEFUL NYANTEKYI YOU ARE STILL WITH BLACK STARS THINKING YOU ARE A COACH. WHICH REASONABLE COACH WILL LOOSE A MATCH AND TELL THE WHOLE THAT HE KEPT HIS BEST PLAYERS ON THE BENCH FOR THE RESEVES TO GO AND PLAYER AND WHEN THEY GET TIRED BEFORE HE BRINGS THE BEST PLAYERS. I CANT EVEN IMAGINE WE CALL YOU A COACH. SIKADIE BASA BASA.
Africa need an African coach like the Senegalese team. Kwesi we are with you so be focused and beyond the sky will be you limit. The current new players plus Kojo Asamoah can take Ghana to places
this ghana coach is a very poor analyst. the teams that represented africa suffered from the same old inferiority complex which has dominated the minds of african players. kwesi appiah has no business coaching the stars. soccer played at international tournament needs strong , matured and strategic thinkers from both the bench to the staff and players on the field. african teams lack these qualities. besides who knows who sold their integrity for money. it is hard to measure. but something is really missing in the psychology of the african soccer team make up.
The World Cup testifies that the African Cup is played by a bunch of weak teams. I won't watch the African cup again.
very good observations made. but never bring those two saboteurs again into the team. they dont like you.
You sef you need to be fired.