Stars to camp in Tamale to prepare for Mali date

Accra, May 9, GNA - The Black Stars will camp in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital ahead of next month's 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mali.

Kwesi Nyantaki, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) told the GNA Sports that technical reasons influenced the choice of Tamale for the camp.

He said Tamale's climatic condition was comparable to that of Bamako, venue for the crucial tie.

"We are informed the temperature in Bamako is about 40 Degree Celsius and that of Tamale is similar. "We begin camping on May 22 and will play Uganda eight days later." Nyantakyi explained that the team will emplane for Bamako on Saturday, June 6, and play the Eagles 24 hours later. Two weeks on, the Stars will trek to Omdurman as guests of the Desert Hawks of Sudan.

Ghana beat Benin 1-0 in the opening Group D match last March at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi to top their group. Saudi-based Prince Tagoe scored the only goal of the match. Only the top placed team qualifies for the World Cup.