The medical team of Ghana's Black Stars have allayed fears over defender Daniel Amartey, saying few days of rest should be good to get him back in his feet.
Amartey, making his debut at the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea, was stretchered off the pitch midway through the final Group C match against South Africa last Tuesday, sparking fears that his injury could be serious.
The fears were heightened when he was carried into the team bus and later sent to the hospital for further treatment and an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan.
However, Dr Adam Baba, the team physician told the Daily Graphic yesterday that there was no cause to worry, as the scan showed no tear but just a stretch.
"Before the scan we were all concerned, but the report has allayed any fear. A good rest in the next four to five days should see him back on his feet and to action again."
"Amartey was going in for header against a South African when he kicked the ball backwards and then felt a tear in his groin.”
The results of the scan could well mean that Amartey, who has had starting roles ahead of experienced John Boye and won the Fair Play Award in the games against Senegal and Algeria, is ruled out of the quarter-final game on Sunday. However, he could recover in time for the semi-final stage should the Stars sail through.
Coach Avram Grant described the news as "good as I need everybody at full strength in the rest of the games."
The FC Copenhagen player was in high spirits yesterday as he told the Daily Graphic about his relief to learn that his injury was not serious.
"I am very relieved because before the scan, I was very worried, thinking of the loss to the team and if my interesting tournament was coming to an end. Now I can smile again because there is no danger," the stalwart defender said.
