AFCON 2015: Ghana coach Avram Grant confident of Black Stars will progress despite defeat

Avram Grant was handed a cold introduction to African football with his defeat with the Black Stars but is still positive he can achieve something with Ghana.

Senegal beat Ghana 2-1 with the last kick of the match at the start of Group C at the African Nations Cup finals after Grant’s team had led at half-time in Mongomo, the town on the border between hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

But the former Chelsea manager, who was only appointed to the position at the start of December, thinks there is enough depth in his squad to turn around matters and continue Ghana’s record of achievement in the tournament.

“We have time now to juggle the squad around and to see what we can do to be better in the next games,” says Grant.

Ghana, who are four-time champions and have been to the last four semi-finals, were 1-0 ahead against Senegal but faded in the second half in a bruising physical battle and allowed their west African arrivals to grab a potentially precious win.

“This loss especially with these young players could affect the players but the players show a lot of spirit.

“This is the reason we scored one goal – exactly like we planned. We also had two good chances after that but we couldn't score.

“If you take into account the conditions we did well, unfortunately we conceded in the last moment and that is not very good,” he adds with an air of pragmatism.

Ghana realistically must now beat top-ranked Algeria in their next match in Mongomo on Friday and South Africa in their final group game on Tuesday, January 27.

"We didn't want this result that has happened but I'm sure as you saw the players showed good mentality and we hope it will be the same next game.

“But even if we lost, nothing is yet decided," Grant adds.