Hurt Gyan doubtful for Ghana-DRC clash
PORT-GENTIL – Ghana coach Avram Grant has admitted captain Asamoah Gyan is a doubt for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after he came off injured against Egypt on Wednesday.
“It’s not looking so good but Gyan is a very strong boy,” said Grant yesterday.
“We will need to wait and see. We will have a scan and then we will know better.”
Gyan was making his 99th international appearance and was looking to score his 50th goal for his country, but he went down with a groin injury towards the end of the first half and eventually came off.
Jordan Ayew replaced him as Ghana lost the Group D game in Port-Gentil 1-0. Gyan described himself as a “victim” of a dreadful playing surface that has already come in for widespread criticism.
He added: “I felt a stretch in my adductor, so I don’t know the extent of the
injury. I’m in pain right now. We will go for the MRI and then we can decide the extent of the injury.” The Black Stars, runners-up in 2015, will face the DR Congo in the quarterfinals in Oyem on Sunday. –
LIBREVILLE – Ghana and Senegal were considered the early favourites at the Africa Cup of Nations finals but as the group stage came to its conclusion, Egypt emerged from a slow start to show off their credentials as potential champions.
Egypt have played at more finals and won more titles than any other country but have been conspicuous by their absence over the past seven years.
The Pharaohs followed three successive titles from 2006 with as many failures to qualify for the finals as their fortunes slumped dramatically.
The lengthy absence was evident as they looked nervous and over-cautious in their opening fixture in Gabon but after the goalless draw with Mali in Port Gentil, they improved dramatically to win their next two matches.
A 1-0 victory over Ghana on Wednesday confirmed them as Group D winners, booking a quarterfinal meeting with north African rivals Morocco.
“The Egyptians try to play a combination game while other teams are, after a second or third pass, trying to take a long shot or make a long pass in the hope of winning the second ball,” former Cameroon coach Volker Finke, who is attending the tournament in Gabon, told reporters.
As the finals head into the knockout stage, six of the remaining eight sides are previous African champions. Only Burkina Faso and Senegal, both previously runners-up, have never lifted the trophy but the latter will believe they have their best chance to triumph in more than a decade.
With Liverpool forward Sadio Mane the inspiration, Senegal have looked devastating at times. Six goals saw them advance comfortably from Group A.
Ghana are brimming with individual quality but teamwork is not their strongest point.
“I’m happy with our mental strength in this tournament. We have rested key players and we have dominated in our matches,” coach Avram Grant said.
Ghana play the DR Congo, who scored six goals to top Group C. –