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Soccer News of Friday, 25 January 2013

Source: GNA

"We still have much to offer" - Appiah

Black Stars Coach, Kwasi Appiah says his charges have so much more to offer following the team' s lone goal victory over Mali in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

The Stars rode on a first half penalty converted by Wakaso Mubarak to amass four points and shift their quest for a fifth Nations Cup glory right in gear and Appiah insist the team will soon hit their strides.

He told GNA Sports in a post match interview that 'the players were tactically better today and kept their concentration. We will keep going from here because they still have much to offer."

Appiah had kind words from the team he branded as tactically not disciplined, when the Black Stars relinquished a 2-0 lead to tie their Group B opener with Democratic Republic of Congo.

"They played very well today. They did exactly all I expected of them," he added.

Though coy on whether he may stick with the personnel that delivered his first win in two games, Appiah insisted the level of opposition will influence the players he will assemble for the next game against Niger.

" Vorsah missed the first game through injury. He was back today and I made I few changes for the game. As I keep saying, the nature of opponent will determine who plays."

He was however unhappy with Mubarak's ban that keeps him out of the Niger game due to cards accumulation.

Mubarak's goal celebration that drew a yellow card, his second in two games rules him out of Monday's meeting and Appiah feels the action that necessitated that could have been avoided.

The midfielder after hitting the back of the net from the spot to wrap up all three points for Ghana showed an underwear with the inscription 'Allah is Great'.

Appiah said "I told him at half time that it was a bad decision knowing it is against the rules. It is not good to be missing players because of cards."

Ghana will be needing to beat Niger to top the group that will guarantee a stay in Port Elizabeth, at least for another game.