Avram Grant
Ghana coach Avram Grant has indicated that weather conditions influenced his decision to pitch camp in Seville, Spain, ahead of the 2015 African cup of nations (Afcon) slated for Equatorial Guinea.
The coach, technical team, and 23 players left the country last Sunday evening for Europe where they would be joined by Dede Ayew, Razak Braimah and Jeffery Schlupp.
Many have criticized the team’s training venue, considering the difference in weather conditions between Mongomo (high weather), where the team would base in Equatorial Guinea and Spain.
But the Israeli trainer before embarking on the Spain trip cleared the air saying, ‘I chose Spain because we need to train and train well. A few of the players are playing but many of them are not playing regularly.
Black Stars training in Spain yesterday
‘We need a good weather to train and in Spain, some of the players can train twice in a day.
The weather in Spain is neither hot nor cold, and we are moving there five clear days before we move to the tournament venue.
Normally, in tournaments like this you move in two days before.
‘When the weather is hot you move to cold places and vice versa, so it will help a great deal,’ the coach added.
The Black Stars will be pitching camp in Spain for 10 days for fine-tuning before they finally move to the tournament grounds ahead of the opening ceremony on January 17.
Ghana are pitted against Algeria, South Africa and Senegal in Group C for the biennial championship scheduled for January 17 to February 8.
Among the 26 players who are expected in Spain are goalkeepers Fatau Dauda, Ernest Sowah and Razak Braimah. John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Jeffery Schlupp, Samuel Inkoom, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Awal Mohammed, Kwabena Adusei and Daniel Amartey all travelled with the team on Sunday evening.
The 26- man provisional team also includes Edwin Gyimah, Afriyie Acquah, Agyemang Badu, Mubarak Wakaso, Rabiu Mohammed, Christian Atsu, Solomon Asante, Ibrahim Moro, Andre Ayew, Frank Acheampong, Asamoah Gyan, Kwesi Appiah, David Accam and Jordan Ayew.
Coach Grant is however still observing the injury situation of striker Majeed Waris who was named as part of the initial 31- man provisional squad.
Three players will be subsequently dropped before the final 23-man squad is presented to CAF on January 7.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the 23-man squad has arrived in Seville, Spain and held their first training session yesterday
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum
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