Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston explained that not to have joined the Ghana squad, despite his injury, would have put his family at risk. Kingston has not played since the Edinburgh derby draw on October 19 because of a thigh problem, and does not expect to return for another fortnight.

"Some people in Ghana think when we foreign-based players say we are injured it might not be true, so I wanted to prove it to them," Kingston said.

"Some fans of the national team who are also very passionate could physically attack me or my family over this - that's why I'm here to prove to everyone I am injured."

The 28-year-old now hopes to ease relations with former Uganda manager Csaba Laszlo.

"As he has coached in Africa, I hope he will sympathise with me," Kingston added.