The Maravi Post

While some locals have been expressing reservations with the condition of Civo Stadium especially the playing turf, visiting Ghana’s Black Stars have played down the issue, saying they understand the situation in Malawi and Africa as a whole.

The visitors expressed the sentiments Friday, October 12, 2012 during a press conference at Civo Stadium after having a feel of the turf.

 Present during the press conference, which was live on Zodiac Broadcasting Station was director of communications and deputy general Secretary in the Ghanaian football association (FA) Ibrahim Sannie Daara and two players Ayew Dede of French side Olympic Marseille and Johny Pantsil for Hapoel Tel Aviv of Israel.

“We have indeed observed that the playing surface is not in the best of conditions but we understand the situation in Malawi and we know this is Africa. We were playing in such conditions before going to Europe so the condition of the pitch is not an issue to us,” said Ayew.

The sentiments were also shared by Daara, who is also the leader of Ghanaian delegation.

The press friendly Ghanaians refused to make any predictions only promising the Malawians fans and the Flames a good game.

“We are not making any predictions but we are guaranteeing the fans and the Malawi team a world class game.

Quizzed if they would not take the issue of the playing surface as an excuse should they lose against the Flames and fail to qualify for South Africa 2013, the visitors said they were not thinking of that situation.

“We cannot answer that because we are not thinking of that situation. We are here to get qualification for South Africa regardless of what situation and we have full confidence that we will achieve that,” said Pantstil.

The Ghanaians who have been booked at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe’s City Centre described the Flames as a very strong side relying on team work and not individuals.

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