The Sunday Mail
AFTER losing 1-0 to Egypt in Wednesday’s final Group D game, two key Ghanaian figures have pointed fingers at the matchday referee.
The reigning Caf Referee of the Year, Papa Gassama, took charge of the game and after 10 minutes gave the north Africans a freekick after defender John Mensah’s infraction.
Roma star Mohamed Salah rifled in the resulting kick for the game’s only goal as Egypt topped the group.
“My players fought very hard in the second half but some strange decisions by the referee did not help our cause,” Grant noted.
Ghana vice captain Andre Ayew shared this view.
“Refereeing should have been better towards us,” he told BeIN Sports. “We were dominant for long spells especially in the second half. Egypt did not create many clear-cut chances apart from the free-kick goal.
The Black Stars have left Port-Gentil and are now based in Oyem where they will take on the DR Congo today.
Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan was one of the first players to express concern over the Afcon pitches when the tournament began, and he’s at it again.
This time, the 31-year old is speaking in exasperation, following a muscle injury he sustained in Wednesday’s game against Egypt in Port Gentil.
“Like I say, we don’t have good pitches. The pitch I think is the cause because I said it on day one and I told some of the players it’s not good for our muscles. Right now, I’m injured and we just have to see the extent of the injury.
“I feel pain… When I walk it’s okay, but when I try to change direction that is when I feel the pain. In football, there is a lot of changing of direction…”
Ghana have been relieved by news that the injury is not as bad as feared, but questions remain over what the Confederation of African Football will do going forward to protect their stars from more of such complaints. – Supersport
