Delighted Ghana coach reveals success secret

Published on: 28 January 2010

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac says the young Black Stars' ability to play strictly according to the game plan is what has helped the injury ravaged side to reach their first African Cup of Nations final for the first time in 18 years.

The Black Stars reached the final after defeating arch rival Nigeria 1-0 in the tournament in Angola thanks to an Asamoah Gyan goal. Ghana, who last won the continental tournament in 1982, will meet either holders Egypt or Algeria in Sunday's final at Luanda's November 11 stadium. Several key players like Micahel Essien, Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, John Pantsil as well as Lareya Kingston were unavailable for the West African country because of injuries.

But the youngsters plucked from the country's U20 team have been stingy in defence and unwilling to open up the game after suffering a 3-1 defeat when they tired to open up against the much experienced Ivory Coast side in their opener in thetournament.

Since then the side has rallied handsomely with their victory over Nigeria on Thursday their biggest scalp so far and Rajevac says defending well is part of today's modern game especially for a depleted side.

"I told my players we were going to play to reach the final and not to produce beautiful football, only the result matters, it's all about the result," Rajevac said.

"Nigeria had a few good chances. Our team is very young and we let them be dangerous because of this lack of experience," he added.

"Defence is a very important thing in modern football." Ghana won the game against Nigerian after Asamoah Gyan headed i a corner from a Kwadwo Asamoah corner kick. The Serbian manager is delighted that his side are begining to take their set pieces seriously ahead of Sunday's final. "We played so many matches without scoring from set pieces," Rajevac said.

"But today was the day and it's a big relief."

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