It's being a long time since I got proud - Le Roy

Accra, Feb. 3, GNA - Ghana trainer, Claude Le Roy says "it's been such a long time ago since I become proud of a team I coach". Le Roy saw the Black Stars rally back to defeat Nigeria's Super Eagles 2-1 and he said the feeling that came with that victory was a special one.

"These boys are heroes. To come back and defeat a team like Nigeria with 10 men is very special."

The French Trainer said he did not need the win to gain faith in the team, whose quality he said was enough to enable them to go all the way.

"I didn't need this victory to have confidence in the team. I have always believed in the quality of my players and I knew we could do it even with 10 men."

Le Roy said he took a risk by bringing on an attacker when captain, John Mensah was sent off during the last quarter of the game.

"It was a risk not to have brought in another defender but I knew we could reorganize well; send Michael Essien at the back and still push for a win."

Ghana would meet the winner of the Cameroon-Tunisia duel slated for the Tamale stadium on Monday without Mensah and the Coach reckons the team could labour.

"It is very unfortunate to have lost John because he is a very important player for the team.

"I don't think he deserved the card but its football and one cannot complain about the referee's decision."

He said the technical team would make adjustment to the team to keep their hunt for a fifth Nations Cup glory on course.

"It was very difficult to miss Laryea Kingston last week and it was our wish not to go through that experience again but now we have to accept the reality that John will be absent and move on."