Under-fire Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah believes he did a decent job

Published on: 10 February 2013

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah believes he deserves some praise despite finishing a disappointing fourth place at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ex-Ghana captain and a member of the 1982 winning team was tasked by his employers to win the trophy when he was appointed in April last year.

But his inability to better last year's fourth-place finish has drawn a lot criticisms and pressure on the Ghana Football Association to part ways with him.

Appiah's tactical approach to matches at the tournament has come under scrutiny with heads split on his future.

Ghana's lame performance in the 3-1 penalty shootout semi-final defeat to Burkina and another poor display in the 3-1 defeat to Mali for third place have not helped matters.

But the soft-speaking trainer, who presented a youngish squad including ten debutants, has defended the team's achievement.

"I have had this team for almost ten months now and I have introduced eleven young players into this competition [Nations Cup]," Appiah said.

"When you are building a team, I mean a national team, it takes time to be hundred percent sure.

"I would say the players have done so well by getting to the semi-finals.

"I don't expect that when you are building a team, you can suddenly think you can win everything. I personally believe that they have done so well."

Appiah's next assignment will be a crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sudan at home in March.

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