Black Stars defender Jonathan Mensah is not happy with happenings off the field, pointing out that they have effects on him and his team mates.
In an interview with TV3’s Michael Oti Adjei moments after the Stars’ 2-0 loss to Egypt in Alexandria, the Russia-based player said: “We are the players and always here to play but if things like arrangement, preparation is not going well, motivation as well isn’t going well then it is really going to affect the team but we always do our best on the pitch and everyone sees it.”
Read a transcript of the full interview below:
How bad is this result for Ghana?
* It is very tough because we got one point, Egypt have 6 and Uganda have four after their win against Congo. It is going to be very tough but we still have hope. There are four games left and we have to focus on winning games. It all won’t be easy so we just have to put this one behind us and focus on the next one.
Do you guys think the 2-0 win for Egypt was a fair reflection of way things turned out?
* They came to win, we also came to win. They got the better result today. We played good football but at the end of the day, we didn’t win so it does not count. Credit to the Egyptians.
Give us an idea of the mood in that dressing room.
* It was very quiet in the dressing room. No one spoke. A different result would’ve been good for us. We are not happy with the result and we just hope the next game will be a good one.
This was the fifth game in a row that Ghana has failed to win. What is happening with the Black Stars?
* We want to do well. We want to win games but five games in a row without a win is very tough. We are the players and always here to play but if things like arrangement, preparation is not going well, motivation as well isn’t going well then it is really going to affect the team but we always do our best on the pitch and everyone sees it.
Do you feel like the other aspects have not gone well? Are you worried about the level of preparation and general issues surrounding the team?
* I think all of these things play a significant role in the game. When things are not going well, you will see the reflection in the team and if things are going right, you see it. For us we just keep pushing on the field and i am sure everything will be fine out there as well.
Realistically, do you guys think Ghana will qualify for a fourth World Cup?
* Realistically it is very tough. It is going to be very hard because we have to win two games and Egypt have to lose two games for us to catch up. It is very hard, but mathematically we are still in this so we are just going to do our best and hope the others will lose some points else it will be very tough.
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