Silvan Widmer, a defender for Switzerland, attributed his team’s loss to Ghana on the oppressive heat at the Zayed Sports City Stadium-Baniyas in Abu Dhabi.
A number of players, including Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Elisha Owusu, Salisu Mohammed, and Daniel Kofi Kyereh, had standout performances as Ghana defeated a powerful Switzerland team 2-0.
It was clear that the players needed to hydrate with roughly four cooling breaks throughout the contest, which was played in temperatures above 30 degrees.
Salisu Mohammed scored his first Black Stars goal by heading in a deflected corner kick in the 69th minute to give Ghana the lead.
In the 74th minute, Antoine Semenoy, who had just entered the game off the bench, extended the Black Stars’ advantage by volleying home a loose ball for his first goal for Ghana.
“The game was decided by a goal after a corner. We saw an even game between two teams who couldn’t go as fast as they could because of the heat,” Widmer said after the game.
“But we still have to step on the gas. That’s a losing game, bottom line. Playing at two in the afternoon when it’s over 30 degrees is difficult. We did well in terms of positions, especially in the first half. Let’s see what the coach has in store for us in the next few days.”
Brazil, Serbia, and Cameroon, who have won the World Cup five times each, are in the same group as Switzerland.
