Ghana ditch Horse-Placenta healer for 2013 AFCON

Published on: 19 November 2012

By Ameenu Shardow

Mariana Kovacevic will not be part of the Ghana delegation at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.

The Serbian traditional healer has been part of the Black Stars set up for recent tournaments as an auxiliary medical staff.

Koavcevic is renowned for her specialized horse placenta treatement which accelerates the recovery of injured athletes.

She was first brought on board for the 2010 World Cup after being introduced by ex Ghana coach and compatriot Milovan Rajevac.

It was based on her excellent works in South Africa - notably for getting influential Kevin-Prince Boateng fit for matches after suffering several knocks - that she was again contracted for the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

Kovacevic remarkably got Asamoah Gyan fit for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations after a four-hour session when the Al Ain striker was originally ruled out for up to a month with a hamstring injury.

She has also been credited for the accelerated recovery of Yossi Benayoun, Nigel De Jong, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Robin Van Persie in the past.

The Black Stars’ medical team led by Dr. Adam Baba have however decided the Serb’s services will not be required for the 2013 AFCON which kicks off on January 19.

Ghana is drawn in Group B which will be based in Port Elizabeth alongside Mali, Niger and DR Congo.

The Black Stars open their bid to end a 31-year wait for an African title against the Congolese on January 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

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