Ghana won't train on 'disgraceful' Mbombela pitch

Ghana will not train on the ragged and bumpy pitch at the Mbombela Stadium before their semi-final clash against Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

The Confederation of African Football has prevented the four-time champions from training there so as to keep the turf in good shape for the match.

Burkina Faso have played all their matches in the tournament on the pitch which has been condemned by some countries and star players.

The Black Stars arrived in Nelspruit on Monday and have since been training at the Ingwenyama Conference & Sports Resort.

"Unfortunately we have been informed that we cannot have our training sessions on the match pitch," Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah told journalists on Tuesday.

Appiah does not believe being familiar with a football pitch can influence the outcome of a match.

"I normally don't believe in the idea that is a good pitch or this is a bad pitch. The most important thing is it is not you alone going to play on the pitch.

"Even though they have the opportunity of playing on the pitch, the most important thing is to psyching yourself up that you have got no choices and need to go out there and compete."