Ghana's venue switch not granted

Ghana will be playing their final Group B game at the African Nations Cup in Luanda after a request to remain in Cabinda was not accepted.

The Black Stars who play Ivory Coast on Friday in Cabinda in their first group match had sought to switch the venue of the final Group match to the Angolan enclave.

But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) did not grant Ghana the request as the Black Stars would go ahead to play Burkina Faso in the final group fixture in Luanda on January 19.

Ghana, who take on Ivory Coast in Cabinda on Friday, wanted to remain in the northern enclave for Tuesday's game against Burkina Faso.

“We asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to stay in Cabinda for this last game but our request has not been granted,” a FA spokesman said.

The CAF decision means that if Ghana finish top of the group they will have to fly back to Cabinda for their quarter-final. However, the Black Stars will remain in Luanda if they end up in second place.

Ghana have yet to play a game in this year's Nations Cup after their opening match against Togo was cancelled following the departure of the Hawks after the deadly gun attack on their bus.