Chris Hughton sacked as Ghana coach after AFCON humiliation

Chris Hughton has been sacked as coach of Ghana after their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars finished third in Group B at the tournament in the Ivory Coast after a 2-2 draw with Mozambique on Monday and any outside hope they had of a place in the last-16 as one of the four best third-placed finishers ended on Tuesday with results in Groups C and D.

A statement read: "The Ghana Football Association wishes to announce that Chris Hughton has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the senior national team with immediate effect. The Executive Council has also taken a decision to dissolve the technical team of the Black Stars.

"The Ghana Football Association will in the coming days provide a roadmap on the future direction of the Black Stars."

Hughton, whose father hailed from Ghana, had taken over as coach in March, having earlier served as technical advisor to the team at the World Cup in Qatar.

The 65-year-old former manager of Brighton and Newcastle won four of his 13 matches in charge and had already been under pressure going into the AFCON finals when Ghana lost away to Comoros in a World Cup qualifier in November.

At the Cup of Nations, they lost their opening game to Cape Verde, after which an angry fan tried to attack him, and then drew with Egypt and Mozambique for a paltry two-point haul.

Hughton has been linked with the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job.

Hughton, who won 53 caps as a full-back for Ireland, is the second coaching casualty of the Cup of Nations. Gambia boss Tom Saintfiet quit on Tuesday after his side finished bottom of Group C.