Ghanaian fan reportedly arrested for attack on coach following AFCON defeat

Caretaker January 15, 2024

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A Ghanaian football fan has reportedly been arrested for an alleged attack on the national team’s coach, Chris Hughton, following their 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group opener .

The incident occurred at the team’s hotel in Abidjan after the Black Stars suffered heartbreak with Cape Verde’s Garry Rodrigues scoring in the second minute of injury time after a defensive mix-up.

Videos circulating online showed disgruntled fans inside the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny expressing frustration and anger over the disappointing result.

According to journalist Saddick Adams, a Ghanaian supporter attacked Chris Hughton at the team’s hotel, prompting intervention from diplomats.

Adams wrote on social media, “One member of the Ghanaian supporters in Abidjan has been arrested for an attack on coach Chris Hughton at the team’s hotel. It took the intervention of some Ghanaian diplomats who were around to save the coach. The unidentified man has been handed to the Ivorian Police.”

However, conflicting reports emerged, with some claiming that no arrest was made. Journalist Muftawu Nabila Abdulai mentioned that the fan directed foul language towards Hughton, leading to security removing him, but there was no arrest. The exact nature of the incident remains unclear.

Chris Hughton, who took over as Ghana’s manager in March 2023, expressed deep disappointment after the match. He explained, “We are incredibly hugely disappointed with the result. We came into the game with a game plan to start on the front foot… At that stage, it looked like we could go on and win it. We are hugely, hugely disappointed with our result.”