CAF U-23 AFCON: Ibrahim Tanko Remains Hopeful Of Qualification Despite Egypt Defeat

Ghana’s Black Meteors head coach Ibrahim Tanko is not giving up hopes of sealing passage to the semifinals of the ongoing U23 AFCON after defeat to Egypt left his side on the brink of shocking elimination.

The Olympic Pharaohs came from behind twice to brilliantly beat the Black Meteors 3-2 at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday.

The result meant that Ghana have only amassed a point from the first two games.

The team currently is third behind leaders Egypt (6 points) and Cameroon (4 points) going into the last round of group matches.

Nonetheless, Tanko insists his side remain ‘hopeful’ as long as there is still a chance of qualifying to the last four.

“We played a great game but lost in the end, this is football. I congratulate Egypt on qualifying. We will play to win against Mali and hope for a favourable result from Egypt match against Cameroon”

Tanko’s side can still book qualification if they beat already-eliminated Mali in their final group game at Al-Salam Stadium on Thursday and Egypt wins against Cameroon.