You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2015 11 13Article 393815

Soccer News of Friday, 13 November 2015

Source: allsports.com.gh

Grant explains time away from Ghana

Avram Grant Avram Grant

Black Stars coach Avram Grant has spoken on criticisms of him spending most of his time away from Ghana since being appointed as head coach of the senior national team.

Grant is almost a year into his job but as spent most of his tenure away from the country, a decision seen by many as not patronizing the local league and performing players in Ghana.

Avram Grant ahead of the fixture against Comoros explained the decision to spent most of his time away from Ghana saying:

“Anybody can say whatever they want. My job is to do the Black Stars good. My job was to take the country away from the trauma of the World Club.

“I’m concentrating on the facts. The fact is to do the Black Stars good. More than 95 percent of the players that are good for the Black Stars play away.

“They do not play in Ghana for different reasons [financial or to improve themselves]. So I need to spend time to watch these players.”

The former Chelsea boss also talked about the fitness of Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan ahead of the World Cup qualifier.

“We need to wait and see. After his injury, he is doing his best to be fit for the game. I cannot say that the pitch is helping him.”

On match-day opposition Comoros, Avram Grant talked of plans not to underestimate his opponents. He stressed that the squad will do their best and whoever is selected will contribute to winning the game.

“We will not be underestimating any team in the world. We will always try to do our best, have stability in the squad,” he continued.

“Last game with Rwanda we played without Gyan, without Jonathan Mensah, without Badu and we won a very tough away game. And one we played without Dede, this we play without Atsu. This is one of the reasons we have a big squad Every player will have to work his contribution to the team.”

Ghana will play the first game against Comoros on Friday afternoon before flying back to Ghana to host the opponents at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Tuesday.