Ghana coach Avram Grant has admitted he is disappointed following the ‘ordeal’ Black Stars players went through as they began their preparations for the final game against Rwanda in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 3.
After announcing a 23-man squad, the ministry of youth and sports rejected the list presented by the Israeli and proposed the use of local players to reduce cost of camping since Ghana have already qualified.
“As a coach, I will be honest with you. I didn’t like the preparation ahead of the Rwanda game. However, there are many things that I like; the spirit of the players on and off the pitch and you know what they did to come here but this is not a good preparation even though we will be ready,” Grant said at his post-match conference.
“I didn’t like how the players were made to pay for their tickets. We didn’t know whether the players were coming or not. I think everything needs to be organised because I’m organised and I put my program out few weeks before the game.
“In every game, we have some problems. The issue is either money or this but if we wait until the last moment, what happened in Brazil will happen again,” he added.
Grant was asked why he named a star-studded squad to face Rwanda despite already qualifying.
“My target is to do something first that many African countries haven’t done before; that is to win the world cup. Talent is in Ghana and the target is to build a strong squad and a winning team so I will not divide Ghanaians whether local or foreign player.
“I’m very sure that everyone in the country will have someone in mind that you will want me to call. But I am happy with the players I have,” he added.
Ghana sit top of Group H after amassing 13 points, seven above Mauritius and Rwanda.
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