Bomb Scare As Ghana Squad Forced to Evacuate World Cup Hotel in Qatar

Bomb Scare As Ghana Squad Forced to Evacuate World Cup Hotel in Qatar

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
International
  • Ghana's squad had to evacuate their hotel in Doha after Qatari police were alerted to a possible bomb threat
  • The four-time African champions touched down in sensational style, with players spotted in their traditional attire
  • Ghana will start their 2022 FIFA World Cup with a huge game against 2016 European champions Portugal

The Black Stars of Ghana were forced to evacuate their Doha hotel after a suspected bomb scare on Sunday.

Coach Otto Addo's side are in the capital ahead of Thursday's clash against Portugal - which will go ahead as planned, despite the disruption.

Ghana, Black Stars, 2022 World Cup, Qatar
The Double Tree by Hilton was emptied on Sunday afternoon while the fire service personnel examined the building for explosives. Credit: @mirrorsports
Source: Twitter

According to the Mirror, Qatari police received a tip-off about a bomb threat at the Double Tree by Hilton hotel on Saturday morning.

Guests, including the Ghana national football team, were then evacuated from the premises so a full search could take place.

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The team was allowed to return 45 minutes later, after the premises had been examined by the police and fire service.

This was the second time in the space of two days that this kind of incident happened, after guests were also forced to evacuate on Friday. On that occasion, sniffer dogs were brought in to examine every room.

The Black Stars returned to the biggest global showpiece this year after missing the 2018 edition in Russia four years ago.

The West African giants have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

Ghana head to the tournament after a morale-boosting win against Switzerland, in their final warm-up game last Thursday.

How Ghana can beat Portugal

Meanwhile, African football legend Kalusha Bwalya has explained how the Black Stars of Ghana can capitalise on Ronaldo's situation to beat Portugal in their Group H opener.

Ghana, who made a return to the Mundial after missing out in 2018, will face a stern test in their curtain-raiser against a Ronaldo-led Portuguese side on Thursday, November 24.

During a live TV discussion about the chances of Ghana ahead of their herculean task, Bwalya posited that the tense atmosphere will work to the advantage of the four-time African champions.

Ghana beat Switzerland in friendly

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that defender Mohammed Salisu and forward Antoine Semenyo scored their first goals for the Black Stars, as Ghana beat Switzerland in their final pre-World Cup friendly.

Salisu's second half lofting header and Semenyo's powerful strike ensured the Black Stars leave for Qatar with their confidence boosted.

Switzerland started off well, with Ruben Vargas coming close in the 6th minute after meeting a cross from Breel Embolo from the right.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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