South Africa African Cup Soccer
Ghana's players clap as they leave the pitch after tying Congo 2-2 in their African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium...
Ghana's players clap as they leave the pitch after tying Congo 2-2 in their African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
South Africa African Cup Soccer
Ghana's Jerry Akaminko reacts after fouling Congo's challenges Congo's Dieudonne Mbokani during their African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match at ...
Ghana's Jerry Akaminko reacts after fouling Congo's challenges Congo's Dieudonne Mbokani during their African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Mbokani scored on the penalty to tie the game 2-2. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
APTOPIX South Africa African Cup Soccer
Ghana's John Paintsil reacts after the end of time in Ghana's African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match against Congo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium...
Ghana's John Paintsil reacts after the end of time in Ghana's African Cup of Nations Group B soccer match against Congo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. Congo tied Ghana 2-2. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Ghana's jittery players met among themselves to discuss what went wrong against Congo and "psyche themselves up" as coach Kwesi Appiah indicated the team's mental state was now the focus at the African Cup of Nations.
Appiah says his team held a meeting away from coaching staff after blowing a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw against Congo, which at times tore Ghana's defense apart.
Appiah says he's also taken measures to address the slump, telling reporters on Monday that some of his players lost concentration in Sunday's game and he had "dealt with them."
Ghana, like it does at almost every Cup of Nations, arrived as one of the title favorites but Appiah's squad is not as experienced as previous years and started with five tournament newcomers against Congo.
