2014 World Cup: Ghana attempted switching Natal camp over poor hotel facilities ahead of USA defeat

Published on: 18 June 2014
2014 World Cup: Ghana attempted switching Natal camp over poor hotel facilities ahead of USA defeat
Pestana Natal Beach Resort

By Ameenu Shardow

Follow on Twitter @alooameenu

Courtesy African Origin Travel and Sports Tourism

Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi has confirmed an attempt to change their hotel in Natal in the lead up to their opening 2014 World Cup game against the USA over poor facilities.

The Black Stars arrived in Natal from their Maceio base a day before the game against the Americans.

The Ghana team was based at the Pestana Natal Beach Resort – a location selected by FIFA.

But the Ghanaian delegation were unhappy with the substandard facilities at the hotel but the players were persuaded to stay put after attempts to move to an alternative location fell through.

“When we got there [Natal] we were surprised to see water on the floor, some of the water came from leakage from the roof,” Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi revealed.

“We were very much concerned and didn’t want to expose our players to such conditions.

“So we took issues with FIFA because I must say that hotel didn’t offer us a good reception for a football team.

“The hotels are selected by FIFA, we didn’t choose the hotel. If we had our way, we would have changed the hotels.

“The Mexico team had left two hours before our arrival and some of the rooms were unkept.

“FIFA tried to get an alternative but they couldn’t find the space elsewhere so we persuaded our players to focus on the match and put aside this inconvenience.

“FIFA officials came to verify all these but an alternative couldn't be arranged.”

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