Black Stars beat two local sides in friendly matches

Kumasi, May 30, GNA - The senior national team, the Black Stars on Thursday beat two Ashanti Regional-based football clubs in friendly matches at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to fine tune their preparations towards their clash against Libya on Sunday. The Stars engaged Owerriman FC, a Second Division side from Konongo and West-Ham FC, a First Division side in Kumasi ahead of their 2010 FIFA World Cup/African Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Libya on Sunday.

Stars' midfielder Laryea Kingston won the day for his side in their first match against Owerriman with a lone goal victory.

The goal was a beautiful one with the midfielder driving home a thunderbolt of a shot in the 28th minute after intercepting a pass in the midfield.

Sulley Muntari should have made it two for the Stars but his 50th minute penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Jonathan Asirifi. In their second match of the day, the senior national team looked more impressive as they trounced West-Ham 4-1.

Muntari made amends for his earlier penalty miss when he connected home an in-swinger from Prince Tagoe in the second minute and a minute later made it 2-0 after he went through the defence of West-Ham in a solo effort before chipping the ball to the blind side of goalkeeper Salia Iddrisu.

Substitutes Prince Buabeng and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie scored the third and fourth goals for the Stars in the 24th and 25th minutes respectively whilst Daniel Attah scored a consolation goal for West-Ham in the 43rd minute.