Ghana coach Avram Grant is happy with Ghanas qualification to the quarter finals of the on-going Africa Cup of nations in Gabon. Grant told reporters after Saturdays 1-0 win over Mali that he was pleased with the win and qualification saying points are the most important thing in tournaments.
“In tournaments you play for the points. We were winning one nil, players saw that they had won the game they had qualified and went back (to defend), It was not planned but at times its good to do to other teams what they did to us in other tournaments. I’m happy with todays game and am happy with the 6 points”- Grant said.
Grant was also pleased with the input of Baba Rahman’s replacement Acheampong.
“We want to wish well to Baba Rahman. He is one of our best players. We sent hin a touching message before the game and I wish him well. Frank Acheampong replaced him and he played well. To be fair it was not an easy decision, we saw how Mali played the first game they are very physical. They know how to play physical football. Acheampong is not tall like Baba Rahman but he did well”- Grant
The former Chelsea manager was avoided the discussion of the state of the pitch in Port Gentil but said he would like his team to play in another stadium if its better.
” We have qualified thats what we wanted. We want to play on a good pitch. I don’t want to talk about the pitch anymore, I saw that all the other coaches are complaining about this and their is nothing to do now. I’m not happy, especially that we are a technical team, we want to pass the ball. We want to play good football and thats what we trying to do. If the other pitch is better ofcourse i would prefer to move to the other pitch”- said Grant.
Ghana play Egypt in their final group D match on Wednesday. The squad is free from injuries. Ghana top group D with 6 points while Egypt are second with 4 , Mali have 1 and eliminated Uganda are yet to register a single point.
