Grant Fears Ghana May Not Qualify For 2018 World Cup

Posted on September 5, 2016

Grant Fears Ghana May Not Qualify For 2018 World Cup

Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be put in jeopardy unless the country’s Sports Ministry can provide adequate funding, according to Black Stars coach Avram Grant.

Ghana completed a successful 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this past weekend by drawing 1-1 at home with Rwanda.

However, the build-up to the match was fraught with issues caused by a lack of funds coming from the Sports Ministry: players had to pay for their own air fare and accommodation, resulting in a poor preparation and subsequent sub-par performance.

In addition, Grant has revealed that his request to have scouts sent to observe Ghana’s first opponents (Uganda) for the start of World Cup qualifying next month was turned down.

In a post-match interview following the 1-1 draw with Rwanda, Grant said, “The recent complaint about lack of money by the Ministry is affecting my job as the coach of the Black Stars.”

The former Chelsea manager has requested Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuije to release funds to provide for adequate preparation.

Meanwhile, Grant has slammed the Accra Sports Stadium pitch as the ‘worst ever’ in his long coaching career after the Black Stars were held to a 1-1 draw against Rwanda.

The Black Stars were out of sorts when they were held 1-1 by the visitors on the bumpy pitch in Accra on Saturday which inhibited good play.

The former Chelsea coach’s disappointment was topped by the pitch’s poor state after his side struggled to pay for their own air tickets to play the match because of the sports ministry’s claim that there was no money.

The chaotic build up to the match which included the ministry’s order that only home-based players must be used compounded problems.

The Israeli manager is unhappy that the pitch was allowed to deteriorate to affect the performance of the players during the game.

“To be honest, I think the pitch is one of the worst I have ever seen,” Grant said in a post-match interview with the press.

“During the match, I asked one of the stadium managers to put water on the pitch . He told me there was no money for fuel, which was unfortunate.

“If we want the best from our players, we must give them the necessary tools to get the best out of them.”

Ghana’s 1-1 with Rwanda completed their qualification for the African Cup of Nations with an unbeaten record.

The 2015 finalists had already secured top spot in Group H with a game remaining, but a weakened side, who led through Samuel Tetteh’s first international goal, were pegged back late on by Muhadjiri Hakizimana’s fine free-kick.