Thursday 26 June 2014 21:28, UK
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has said that the pre-match controversies surrounding his side did not play any role in their defeat to Portugal on Thursday.
Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were sent home from the World Cup due to disciplinary issues just hours before the Black Stars’ final Group G match in Brasília.
There was also a dispute relating to the payment of bonuses, and the players took to the pitch only after they were handed their appearance fee.
The African side lost the contest 2-1 to finish bottom of the group with just a point from three matches, but Appiah believes that the pre-match problems did not affect the players’ mindset during the 90 minutes against Portugal.
"I don't think it had an impact on the game," he said Appiah, "We had our chances but couldn't take them.
"We had our chances but couldn't take them."
