The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has pulled plugs on its plans to seek an international friendly date with the Black Stars due to head coach Avram Grant, reports in the North African nation claim.
The reports say the Algerians were looking out to utilize the FIFA dates for friendlies in September with the Black Stars their most preferred opponent but have had to backtrack because the Ghana head coach is an Israeli national.
It is a fact that Algeria and Israel do not have official diplomatic relations and that the North African state refuses entry to any citizen holding an Israeli passport or any other visa from the Jewish state.
After being pitted in a tough qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup against Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia, Algeria, the number 1 ranked national team are eager to meet a big West African side in a friendly on September 6. The FAF is now looking at one of Mali and Senegal for a friendly on September 6 before their World Cup 2018 opening qualifier against Cameroon on October 3.
Grant to use Polish passport for Arab travels
Meanwhile, coach Avram Grant, few weeks ago, moved to curb such which could deter him from travelling to Arab countries by acquiring a Polish passport.
He finally secured his Polish passport following years of researching his family’s heritage in the country.
The former Chelsea manager completed his first official travel document as a Polish citizen at the consular section of the Polish Embassy in London at a private ceremony on Monday, June 13.
Grant said: “Feeling Polish comes natural to me. My father Meir was a Polish citizen. He was born in Mlawa, near Warsaw, like my grandfather Avraham, great-grandfather Herschel, and the generations before them.”
His family escaped Poland at the start of World War Two to Russia, but they were deported to the far eastern province of Siberia. His father lost both his parents and five siblings whilst there.
“I am in Poland at least four to five times a year”, adding that he had “made the journey more than a 100 times.”
“The consuls asked me which passport I should use when travelling to Poland the next time. The Polish one, of course!”, the 61-year-old who first visited Poland in 1988 said.
Avram Grant ensured the passport process was done in time for him to travel to France for the on-going Euro 2016 tournament. He is expected to return to Ghana next week to begin plans for the Black Stars’ preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.
Source: ghonetv.com/Ghana
