Soccer News of Wednesday, 17 May 2006
Source: Graphic
Stars Leave For Austria
A 15-man contingent, including four professionals of the senior national team, the Black Stars, left Accra last Wednesday night for Austria to engage in pre-tournament trials.
Making the trip included Mr. Awuah Nyamekye, leader of the delegation, the technical team comprising head coach, Rotamir Dujkovic, and his assistants, Sellas Tetteh, Ali Kanyas and Edward Ansah, as well as team physician, Dr. Martin Engmann.
Professional players were John Mensah, Richard Kingston, Baba Amando and Derek Boateng, whilst George Owu, Philomon McCarthy, Yusif Chibsah, Dan Quaye, Aziz Ansah and Habib Mohammed constituted the local component.
In Austria, the other foreign-based players would join the team to make it a 28-man squad.
The Ghanaians are scheduled to begin their friendly tie in Bochum against Turkey on May 25 before taking on Jamaica on May 29 in Leicester, England, and South Korea on June 4 in Edinburg, Scotland.
Key in the Black Stars' plans is the expected role of team captain Stephen Appiah who played an inspiring role in ensuring qualification.
Michael Essien is another key member of the squad and his combative role in midfield would be crucial to the team's chances in the Mundial. His role with the likes of Otto Addo, Steven Appiah and Sulley Muntari in midfield would be one of the strongest in the competition.
The experience of Samuel Osei Kuffour will be required at the heart of Ghana's defense and that should not be a source of worry for Dujkovic.
Dujkovic picked four strikers in his 23-man squad and expected to lead the force is Asamoah Gyan, who has had a fine season in the Italian series B with Modena.
He is expected to be partnered by Matthew Amoah, another important contributor to the Stars' qualification.
The full list is; Sammy Adjei, George Owu and Richard Kingston for goalkeeping, Addoquaye Pappoe, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Issah Ahmed, Sammy Osei Kuffour, Hans Adu Sarpei, Dan Quaye, Habib Mohammed and Shilla Illiasu as defenders.
The midfield and striking will be manned by Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Sulley Ali Muntari, Haminu Dramani, Eric Addo, Otto Addo, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Matthew Amoah, Razak Pimpong and Alex Tackie-Menson.
Ghana is drawn in Group E alongside Italy, Czech Republic and the United States of America. The Stars will open their account with a game against Italy on June 12 in Hanover.
