Ethiopia rejected hotel due to superstition – George Afriyie

pulse-ghana admin 16:28 - 09 June 2017

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The deputy GFA chief believes the East Africans rejected their initial hotel due to superstition

Chairman of the Black Stars management committee, George Afriyie says the contingent from Ethiopia rejected the hotel given them purely based on superstition, contrary to claims that the rooms lacked the necessary facilities.

Players, coaches and staff of the Walias touched down in Ghana on Thursday, as they prepare to take on the Black Stars in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

However, the contingent from the East African nation rejected to stay at the Noda Hotel in Kumasi, claiming the facilities were in poor condition.

The Ethiopians were later reported to have requested to stay at the Golden Tulip Hotel, but were denied because its rooms were already occupied.

The contingent later agreed to reside at the Royal Lamerta Hotel in Kumasi.

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The behavior of the Ethiopians sparked rumours that the team was being subjected to some unfair treatments, however, George Afriyie has quashed that notion.

According to him, only superstition could have caused Ethiopia to reject staying in the Noda Hotel.

“They are not the first team we have booked for the NODA Hotel but we know what informed their decision,” the GFA vice-president told Happy FM.

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“[It is] because they heard we beat Egypt 6-1 after lodging there, but we're not surprised by the rejection and it happens especially in African football where superstition in football is rated high. They were within their rights to request for a change."

Ghana will face Ethiopia in the opening game of group F, as both teams begin the qualification process to Cameroon 2019. Kenya and Sierra Leone complete the group.