Caf commits to better Afcon pitches
Caf has promised to better the playing surfaces at future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Abdallah El Said of Egypt is tackled by Arnaud Djoum of Cameroon during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Finals, Afcon Final match between Egypt and Cameroon at the Libreville in Gabon on 05 February 2017 ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
This comes after players, coaches and football federations’ criticism of poor playing grounds at the 2017 Afcon tournament in Gabon.
Ghana coach Avram Grant blamed the turf at Port Gentil Stadium for injuries sustained by players.
“That is a lesson for us to make sure we have better control of better management in future,” Caf secretary general Hicham El Amrani told BBC Sport.
“We are taking it very seriously.
“One way to do things is to be in touch with the Local Organising Committee way in advance, even before a pitch has been laid, and to provide them with our knowledge in terms of selection of suppliers.
“Of course we would have been happier if certain things had been better managed – and I’m not going to go back on the everlasting issue of the pitch in Port-Gentil.
“But overall we are very happy with the tournament and we congratulate the host nation for their tremendous efforts.”
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