Soccer News of Wednesday, 22 May 2013

Source: Joy Online

Appiah wants new rules on AFCON injuries

Ghana coach, Kwasi Appiah has asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to consider amending its rules regarding injured players at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars coach made the suggestion during the recent CAF Symposium to analyse 2012 and 2013 editions of Africa's flagship football competition.

CAF regulations prevent sides from replacing their players when injured during the three-week competition.

Appiah was hit with a similar incident prior to this year's Nations Cup in South Africa when striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom got injured but could not be replaced.

GFA technical director Oti Akenteng, who attended the three-day Symposium with Kwasi Appiah, in an interview with Joy FM noted that, Appiah's suggestion was welcomed by the many participants of the event.

"He (Kwasi Appiah) also came out with a wonderful suggestion which I’m sure CAF is going to sit down to deliberate on," said Oti Akenteng.

"He suggested that in future within the Afcon tournament while the matches are going on and you have injury situations which probably rule out your key players , there should be a way for the coaches to invite players who were not originally named in the squad for the tournament.

"This idea was applauded by the other coaches and the officials of CAF noted they were going to deliberate on the issue."

Ghana has been afflicted by injuries during recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, with Black Stars midfielders Anthony Annan, Wakaso Mubarak and Richmond Boakye-Yiadom battling with injuries which made them miss some matches during this year's tournament in South Africa.