'Egypt must be given chance to replace injured players' - Grant

William D. Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent, Gabon, courtesy uniBank Gh. Ltd and Asky Airlines

Port-Gentil, Gabon, Jan 20, GNA - Head coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant, has called on the Organising Committee of 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Gabon, to give Group D, contenders Egypt, the opportunity to replace their injured goalkeepers in the competition.

Egypt, has so far lost two goalkeepers through injury.

Ahmed El-Shennawy sustained hamstring tear in their opening match of Group D, against Mali last Tuesday, whilst El Ekramy is being treated for hamstring strain, leaving the North Africans, with only veteran El Hadary.

According to the regulations of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), there will be no replacement 24 hours, before the start of the competition.

However, Avarm Grant believes, they must be given the opportunity to make replacements, because the injuries were as a result of the bad pitches.

"The pitches for the competition are very bad and causing many injuries to players." Grant lamented.

He said, Egypt must be given the chance to replace the injured goalkeepers, because it was unfair to play in the competition with only a goalkeeper.

'The pitches are terrible and not the best for a big competition like the Africa Cup of Nations. Many players are getting injured because of the bad pitches in the competition.

'Players are the most important characters in the competition and must be protected. It is unfair to subject them to these poor pitches.

'I am not happy with the pitches. The players are suffering and it is not good for the competition. Egypt is in my group, but I am not happy with their situation they must be allowed to replace the injured players.' Grant stated.

Ghana's Baba Abdul Rahman, sustained a knee injury last Tuesday, in the game against Uganda and has been ruled out of the competition, whilst Burkina Faso's Jonathan Patroipa and Jonathan Zongo, have also been ruled out due to injuries caused by the pitch.

Ghana will play Egypt in the last game of the group on Wednesday, January 25, at the Port-Gentil Stadium.

GNA