Gideon Mensah says Ghana have an opportunity to restore national pride after surrendering a two-goal lead in Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat by The Gambia.
The Ghana captain accepted responsibility for the loss at the Accra Sports Stadium, but said the team could still respond in their remaining qualifiers.
“We have the chance to do it again and to make people happy again,” Mensah said.
Ghana began strongly by scoring twice, before The Gambia fought back to complete a dramatic turnaround. Mensah said the result was one of those occasions when “luck was not on our side”, while acknowledging that the team had not performed as required.
“As captain today, I also take responsibility for everything that happened on the field,” he said. “We have to protect the boys and protect the national team. We can take the criticism and everything that is supposed to come to us.”
Mensah said the squad’s lack of experience had contributed to the team failing to maintain its intensity, with several players making their first appearances for Ghana.
He explained that newcomers needed time to understand the demands of representing the national team, including the mentality and urgency required when wearing the Ghana jersey.
“Playing for Ghana, where everybody lives off football, is completely different from club football,” he said. “Everybody is happy when Ghana wins a game. I think that was the part we were missing.”
Mensah pointed to the reaction after Ghana scored their second goal as an example of the areas still requiring improvement. He said everyone was “literally on the sideline”, adding that such understanding could not be developed overnight.
The captain said he had done everything he could to lead the side, even though his personal efforts might not be recognized after the defeat.
Mensah also defended the players who accepted their international call-ups despite the difficulties facing the squad. He noted that some established names had withdrawn because of injuries rather than a lack of commitment, but praised those who came in to represent their country.
“At some point we should also appreciate them,” he said. “As captain, I am proud of them for not hiding and for coming out to play for Ghana.”
He agreed that significant changes were needed, but said the team had plenty of talented players and that many were eager to play for the national side.
However, Mensah stressed that representing Ghana required more than ability or simply accepting a call-up and travelling to join the squad.
“There is some urgency and some spirit we need to have when we play for Ghana,” he said. “In the end, we have a whole lot to learn.”
Despite the defeats against The Gambia and Cote d’Ivoire, Mensah said he remained proud of the players because they had continued to make themselves available for Ghana, their families, communities and people.
Source: Ghana Soccer Net
