2021 AFCON: “You don't expect magic from me, I came to Ghana just three months ”—Milovan to Ghanaians

Black Stars Coach Milovan Rajevac says Ghanaians should have lowered their expectations on Ghana's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign, because he was hired for just three months and can't produce magic for the team.

Ghana, four-time champions, experienced their disastrous AFCON campaign in 16 years after being booted out of the competition by minnows Comoros.

The Black Stars, guided by the Serbian tactician needed an emphatic win to book a ticket to the next stage but, shockingly lost 3-2 to the debutants to exit the continental competition at the Group stage.

Richmond Boakye-Yiadom and Alexander Djiku's goals against Comoros' three were not enough to seal a round 16 berth when Ghana needed an emphatic win to book a slot to the next stage.

At the post-match on Tuesday evening in Garoua, the 68-year old said the AFCON was his primary target but his main aim was to qualify the team to the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

“I came to Ghana just three months ago, so you cannot expect magic from me in this short period. But, the AFCON was a good platform for us, however things didn't go well for us.

“We would learn from the mistakes and focus on the next World Cup qualification matches in March.

“I came to Ghana to qualify the team to the World Cup and it is possible to achieve that,” he said.

On the team's abysmal performance, he said Comoros' early goal in the 3rd minute and Andre Dede Ayew's red card in the first half affected the team.

“We did not start well. The early goal and red card changed the match. We did not expect this because my players did everything to win the game,” the Coach said.

Ghana finished the competition with one point to sit at the bottom of Group C log after losing to Morocco, Comoros and drawing 1-1 with Gabon.

GNA