Duya explains criteria for selection

Coach Dujkovic outlined the criteria used for the selection of the national team as

• regular first team players
• good physical condition
• high tactical and technical knowledge
• and above all patriotism.

He said the target of the team is to go beyond the group stages and take the remaining matches as they come.

The coach reckons that he would be facing a very tough opposition from their group contenders of Italy, United States of America (USA) and the Czech Republic but believes his side has the capacity to scale through.

Asked whether the team stands the chance of going beyond the quarter-final stage and winning the trophy, Doya said that "winning the trophy is not a realistic dream because the task ahead is a daunting one".

Mr Fred Pappoe, Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) who doubles as the Chairman of the Management Committee of the Black Stars, announced that the Stars will engage in a friendly game against Turkey on May 25, in Dusseldorf, Germany.

He said the first friendly match against Turkey would be followed by a game against the Reggae Boys of Jamaica in Leicester City, England on May 29, with the final friendly fixed for June 4, against South Korea in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The team will therefore emplane to Germany for the competition a day after the South Korean game.