Friendly: Ayew reflects on Black Stars’ defeat to Nigeria

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Friendly: Ayew reflects on Black Stars’ defeat to Nigeria

Black Stars of Ghana forward Jordan Ayew believes the team gave their best against Nigeria despite playing with 10-men for most part of the second half in Friday’s friendly.

Jeremy Opoku was sent off by the centre referee for a rash challenge in the 57th minute.

Otto Addo’s side were 1-0 down at that period following Cyriel Dessers’ first half opener for the Super Eagles.

The Black Stars dominated the second half despite their numerical disadvantage.

The former African champions however conceded the second goal seven minutes from time before Ayew reduced the deficit with a stoppage time penalty.

Ayew, who plays for Premier League club Crystal Palace insisted that they deserved something from the game.

“It didn’t really affect us, it gave us even more energy, more strength to keep on doing what we were doing because I had a feeling that we were the better team in the second half,” Ayew told reporters in the mixed zone after the game.

“But you know in football, sometimes things go your way, sometimes don’t go your way and I think we put them under pressure, we went toe-to-toe.

“We did a really good second half so we need to build on that and it’s a positive thing for the future.”