Sports | January 22, 2008
Le Roy unhappy with pitch
Fredrick Musisi

IN GHANA

GHANA Black Stars coach Claude Le Roy has described the state of the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra as the worst pitch he has seen in his 20 years in Africa.

The no nonsense coach was speaking to the press after his team's hard fought 2-1 win over Guinea in the MTN African Nations Cup opening match on Sunday.

“The quality of the pitch is unacceptable for this level of competition. But I can not blame the grounds man for the mess. The problem is beyond him,” he said. He also said it was an error for Ghana to sit back.

“It was a mistake to sit back and protect the one goal difference. But on the balance of play we deserved victory because we created many chances,” he said.

He warned the side not to take their next opponents Namibia whom they play on January 24 lightly.

“You see Ghana plays better against Brazil or Nigeria but relaxes against small teams. I congratulate Guinea for the good match,” he said.
His counterpart Robert Nouzaret was disappointed with his team's performance.

“I know my players well. They can play better than that but gave too much respect to the home side,” he said.

“We are going to collect our mistakes as Guinea will not lose two matches in a row.”
The Sily National next play Morocco’s Atlas Lions on January 24.

Ghanaian midfield star Micheal Essien won the Samsung Fair Play award while Guinea’s inspirational captain Pascal Feinduno scooped the MTN man of the match award.