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Soccer News of Friday, 12 June 2009

Source: GNA

Black Stars assemble for Sudan game

Accra, June 12, GNA - The Black Stars of Ghana has commenced preparations towards their next World Cup qualifier against Sudan on June 20, in Sudan.

The team assembled at the El Wak Stadium, Accra under the technical guidance of coach Milovan Rajevic and his assistants Akwesi Appiah and Edward Ansah on Friday morning.

A total of 17 players assembled for the training, with majority of the players who played in the Mali match actively participating in the training session.

The team was made up of Richard Kingson, George Owu, John Mensah, John Paintsil, Eric Addo, Isaac Vorsah, Micheal Essien, Mousa Narry, Samuel Kyere, Samuel Inkoom and Bernard Kumodji.

The rest were Ernest Papa Arko, Prince Tagoe, Kojo Asamoah, Mathew Amoah, Opoku Agyeman and Junior Manuel Agogo.

The other members are expected to join the team on Saturday before departure to Kenya and on arrival in the East African country for camping.

Speaking to the GNA Sports, coach Rajevic said the game against the Sudanese will be more difficult because it will be the last opportunity for them to survive in the qualifiers.

He added that since they will be playing in a very high temperature they would need to use much strength throughout the game and that could be a major threat to the qualification of the Stars.

Coach Rajevic said he was optimistic that the Stars will triumph despite the challenges because the players are aware of the situation and have taken them in good stride.

"We are going to work seriously on our strength and concentration in the next few days and I believe this will get us well prepared for the task ahead.

"The Sudanese side is a good team, with a lot of talented players. They could be dangerous on any day and are very potent in the dying minutes of every game, so we must guard against these things." Coach Rajevic stated.

The coach, however, noted that there will be slight technical and tactical changes to the team to enable them to achieve their target in Sudan.

Coach Rajevic was confident the Stars will pick the three maximum points at stake to enhance their chances of qualification to the World Cup.