Black Meteors coach, Ibrahim Tanko, acknowledged the team’s delight at having Chris Hughton, the senior national team’s coach, join them in Morocco for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Hughton joined the team over the weekend as part of his efforts to identify fresh talent for future Black Stars assignments.
Ghana began their campaign with a crucial win over Congo in Rabat on Sunday, putting them at the top of Group A, matching Morocco, the hosts of the tournament, who also won their first game against Guinea.
The team achieved the hard-fought victory owing to a brace from substitute Emmanuel Yeboah and another goal from Enerst Nuamah, ensuring Ghana earned all three points despite two late goals from the Congolese.
Hughton, who was present at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, is thought to be providing technical guidance to the coaches of the U-23 side, which Tanko admires.
“We are happy to have him here. He is with us in the hotel. Definitely, we are speaking each day. So, yes, he is the head of the senior national team. These boys are playing to get there, so I am happy that he is here,” Tanko said after the game.
The team will play their second game against Morocco on Tuesday as they hold on to their target of finishing in the top three to earn qualification into the next Olympic Games to be held in Paris next year.
The Black Meteors are poised to make a return to the quadrennial event having last participated in 2004.
