Massive confusion has rocked Ghana's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifier against Rwanda after Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye
ordered the freezing of air tickets for invited foreign-based players.
In a shocking show of power-play, the government
official has warned Travel Matters- the traveling agency of the Ghana FA
to stop the traveling arrangement of the players, just seven days before the
team takes on the Amavubi in Accra.
The move appears orchestrated to ensure locally-based players
are forced on Coach Avram Grant which has been an agenda of the Minister with
claims that the Black Stars have already qualified.
The stand-off between the Ghana FA and Nii Lante Vanderpuye
is well documented with the Member of Parliament throwing constant unprovoked
jabs on the football federation.
There has been a clandestine move by the current Sports
Minister to alter the player selection of the team after Avram Grant named his
squad for the final AFCON qualifier which included his largely predictable squad.
According to Ghanasoccernet, the situation has left several
of the players angered as it has affected their traveling plans but
are willing to report for the game to serve their country despite the
Minister's recent attitude and comments towards the team.
Most of the angry players are said to have been shown
whatsapp messages the Minister sent to some journalist indicating that he will
compel the handlers of the team to use only local players for the game.
There is a massive disquiet in the team with fears the
stand-off could damage the country's chances of qualifying to the 2018 World
Cup which starts in October.
The Black Stars of Ghana are set to play the Amavubi of
Rwanda on Saturday, 3rd September in Accra at exactly 15:30 GMT.
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