Lack of proper planning led to Ghana’s struggles against Sudan – George Afriyie

Former Ghana FA Vice President George Afriyie believes poor planning was the root cause of Ghana’s struggles against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.In a double-header, Ghana drew 0-0 with Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium, before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat in Benghazi.Afriyie highlighted the missteps in preparation, explaining that Ghanas squad, accustomed to grass pitches, failed to adjust to Sudan’s astroturf advantage.”We did not start the competition well so after our two games we had one point that is after playing Angola her in Kumasi and against Niger in a neutral ground we had one point. The irony of this whole issue that is why I am saying we didn’t plan well is you are in group of four countries two of the countries don’t have the privilege to play at home,” he told Peace FM as monitored by Ghanasoccernet.com”Where your support base or the number 12 man will cheer you and support you to win at home two of these countries did not have it that is Sudan and Niger. So after the first two matches and thing did not go well and we have one point in your subsequent two matches which is a back-to-back you need to plan well. You played the match here Thursday and you know that your players 25 players are play their football on a green grass field in their respective clubs.Now your opponent trains and plays on astroturf so now what do you do after your game on Thursday already we are taking a chartered flight to Benghazi. We had to travel the next day in the morning to Benghazi to do our recovery on an astroturf then rest and the next day Saturday we will get the advantage of using an astroturf to train on the next day again which is Sunday and on Monday the mandatory one hour your can go and train at the match venue before Tuesday you play the game.”But we sat here, next day we went to the Accra Sports Stadium knowing very well that we are going to play on astroturf and did your recovery traveled to Benghazi arrived on Saturday evening then trained on Sunday then played on Tuesday,”Ghana, now sitting at just two points, risks missing out on a tournament once considered a birthright.