Ghana face injury blows

Ghana's preparations for the Nations Cup have been hampered by a spate of injuries to some of the team's key players.

Bayern Munich defender Samuel Kuffour, tipped to be named African Player of the Year, has a thigh injury and missed Friday's friendly against Egypt.

This was despite being given the green light by coach Fred Osam-Duodu.

Midfielder Stephen Appiah of Italian side Parma will also undergo an operation after a muscle tear which could keep him out of football for three weeks.

And Ghana also have problems up front. Strikers Charles Amoah and Peter Ofori-Quaye are in doubt of even making the trip to Mali.

Amoah has returned to Austria to examine his toe infection, while Ofori-Quaye is down with a knee injury.

Osam-Duodu has cancelled training for all those affected by injuries in order that they recuperate speedily.

Kuffour dispute

Bayern defender Kuffour first suffered his thigh injury last month and has missed three consecutive matches.

Kuffour has been invited to join the Black Stars after his relationship with Osam-Duodu was strained recently for comments he made criticising Ghana's football's set up.

The matter was resolved after Kuffour met with the minister of sport and other top officials in Kumasi.

Apart from Appiah and Amoah, many believe Osam-Duodu could do without most of the other players, including Kuffour since they have not played for Ghana in months.

Osam-Duodu is expected to name his final 22-man squad on Saturday.