U20 World Cup: Experienced Ghana coach Afranie warns against fielding 'half-fit' Clifford Aboagye ahead of Mali cracker
Veteran Ghana coach Emmanuel Afranie has warned against fielding half-fit Clifford Aboagye ahead of the 1/16th stage clash against Mali in the ongoing World Youth Championship.
The twinkle-toed midfielder has been passed fit for the crucial tie against the West African counterpart despite concerns over his fitness.
The 20-year-old picked up a groin injury during their 1-0 win over Panama last Friday but has been cleared to feature for the Ghanaians against their West Africa neighbours in Wellington.
"We have to be careful not to rush him (Clifford Aboagye). It looks like we're too desperate for him to be fit and that a worry to me," he said
"Groin is a bad injury and any attempt to force him play through the pain barrier will be disastrous.
"If I were the coach, I will not use him. I believe there are equally good players on the bench who can step up to the plate.
"Yes, he is a good player and our talisman, but we should allow him to heal properly. I will not use him if I was in the same situation.
"I will prefer a fully-fit player to a half-fit one. We cannot experiment with that."
This will be the third meeting of the two countries this year after they clashed in the Africa Youth Championship in Senegal.
Ghana beat Mali 3-1 to clinch bronze after losing the group game 1-0.
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