FIFA President Sepp Blatter praises Ghana's AFCON performance

Ghana lost out to Ivory Coast in a nerve-racking penalty shootout

Accra (Ghana), Feb 14 (IANS) FIFA President Sepp Blatter has lauded the performance of Ghana at the just-concluded 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea, where the Black Stars finished runners-up to Cote d'Ivoire.

Blatter, who was in Equatorial Guinea to watch the final, also congratulated coach Avram Grant and the entire technical, administrative and medical team, reports Xinhua.

"Congratulations to the national team on reaching the final of the African Nations Cup Equatorial Guinea 2015," Blatter said in a letter to Ghana Football Association (GFA).

He said the final match against Cote d'Ivoire at the Stadium of Bata was a passionate encounter which Ghana was unfortunate to lose after a nerve-racking penalty shootout that ended 9-8 in favour of the 'Elephants'.

"Your team played excellent football and could have as well won the trophy. Having arrived to Zurich, I would like on behalf of the international football community to extend our warmest congratulations on your second-place finish, not only to the Black Stars but also to the coach Avram Grant and the entire technical, administrative and medical team," the FIFA boss said.