Black Stars Coach Avram Grant has described Ghana’s victory against South Africa as a tough but deserving one.
The Stars came from behind to beat Bafana Bafana 2-1 with goals from John Boye and Andre Dede Ayew to secure A qualification into the quarter finals of the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Grant commended his players for the fighting spirit they put up to secure the victory.
“Being in that position for such a long time when nothing seems to work in our pursuit of goal was quite frustrating, but I’m satisfied that did not frustrate the players as they kept their cool and eventually delivered what was expected of them.
“It was tough, but also a result delivered with great team effort,” Grant said.
The former Chelsea coach added: “We started the match very well with two or three good chances. We had the match in our hands. I am very happy that the players showed, just as in their last match, a good spirit and good attitude.
“We deserve it because South Africa were not better than us. We have finished first in the group of death, which is not bad.
“After losing the first match we showed great attitude in the second and continued along the same lines today”.
Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan admitted it was his toughest game at any AFCON tournament, since his debut in 2006, but was glad they were able to do what was most important.
“I said prior to this game that it was going to be a match of mental toughness and it ended up being just that. Any side badly needing a win, but conceding that early goal could have been frustratING… but every player in white shirt on the pitch refused to give up and the reward for that is the sweet victory,”
Ghana will now face the runners-up in Group D in Malabo on Sunday.
