Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan is racing against time to be fit for Friday's 2014 World Cup final Group D match against the Chipolopolos of Zambia in the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.
The coach of the Ghanaian team, Kwesi Appiah, does not want to take any chances by fielding a half-fit Gyan, who is the team's top goal scorer, and is therefore watching his recovery very carefully.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said on its website that Gyan limped off during the team's training session on Tuesday at the Accra Sports Stadium and could be unfit for the match.
His condition came just after goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey was withdrawn from the Black Stars squad due to injury.
“We cannot risk Gyan or take chances by fielding a weak team,” GFA quoted Appiah as saying.
“He is our captain and a very good player for us but if he is not fit, we don’t take that risk in such a situation. We know Ghanaians will want to see him on Friday, but seriously, we cannot take such chances.”
Ghana has one point more than Zambia and would only need to avoid defeat to reach the final round of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Solomon Asante and Richard Kissi Boateng have joined the Ghana team, giving Black Stars coach a full house to work with for the game with Zambia.
Goalkeeper Kwarasey has been replaced by Foli Adade, the DR Congo-based player.
The team has been boosted by the return of Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Andre Dede Ayew, who rescinded their decisions to withdraw from international football.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said on its website that Gyan limped off during the team's training session on Tuesday at the Accra Sports Stadium and could be unfit for the match.
His condition came just after goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey was withdrawn from the Black Stars squad due to injury.
“We cannot risk Gyan or take chances by fielding a weak team,” GFA quoted Appiah as saying.
“He is our captain and a very good player for us but if he is not fit, we don’t take that risk in such a situation. We know Ghanaians will want to see him on Friday, but seriously, we cannot take such chances.”
Ghana has one point more than Zambia and would only need to avoid defeat to reach the final round of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Solomon Asante and Richard Kissi Boateng have joined the Ghana team, giving Black Stars coach a full house to work with for the game with Zambia.
Goalkeeper Kwarasey has been replaced by Foli Adade, the DR Congo-based player.
The team has been boosted by the return of Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Andre Dede Ayew, who rescinded their decisions to withdraw from international football.
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