Black Stars Unhappy Over Cairo Venue

• Posted on November 1, 2013
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, says the decision by FIFA to sanction the final leg of the World Cup play-off in Cairo has rather strengthened the Black Stars’ resolve to win against Egypt  and qualify for Brazil 2014 despite the players’ initial fear of with playing in the strife-torn city.

Last Wednesday, FIFA turned down the GFA’s request for the November 19 final tie between Egypt and Ghana to be moved to a neutral ground due to security concerns, and said the match would take place at the Air Defence Military Stadium as originally planned by the Egypt Football Association (EFA) which had given enough security guarantee.

FIFA said it was satisfied with the security assurances given by the EFA for the safety of the Ghana delegation to Cairo for the match. There was, however, no indication that the match would admit fans or be played behind closed doors even though the EFA had days before the FIFA decision, indicated that 30,000 fans would be allowed entry into the stadium.

“Of course, the players just like us, are disappointed and concerned. But we’ve spoken to the leadership of the playing body and they have resolved to go to Cairo and win again to prove that the victory in Kumasi was no fluke.

“We have already had discussions and the resolve is that we will remain calm and focused on the match rather than the venue for the match,” Mr  Nyantakyi told the Graphic Sports in an interview yesterday.

He said the GFA was also going to take every precautionary measure to ensure  the trip to Cairo was not affected in any way.

In the meantime, GFA intends to dispatch an advance party to liaise with the Ghana Embassy in Cairo to monitor the situation and advise accordingly.

Yesterday, the FA confirmed that the Stars would pitch camp in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa from November 11 and arrive in Cairo on the eve of the match and leave Egypt the following day.

“Unfortunately, we do not know what guarantees have been provided by the EFA as we were not provided with any details. We will therefore go with our own plan and minimise the security risks. We are focused on the match being played within 90 minutes, but we will also keep an eye on our safety.”

Graphic Sports