Ghana returning to light up Merdeka Tournament

PETALING JAYA, July 14 - The dazzling footballers of Ghana will be making a return to Malaysia to play in the Merdeka Tournament next month. They will be represented by their Olympic squad in the six-team tournament scheduled for Aug 12-20 at the Merdeka Stadium.

Crowd favorites Ghana are expected to field some of the players who starred in the 1997 Youth World Cup (Under-20) Finals in Kuala Lumpur, the same tournament where a young unknown by the name of Michael Owen was making his mark.

Ghana were eliminated by Uruguay in the semi-finals, going down by a golden goal after the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Attacking midfielder Stephen Appiah and ace striker Isaac Kufour are expected to lead the team's charge. They were in the team who won the World Under-17 tournament in 1995.

Ghana are in the same group as the Malaysia B side represented by their Under-22 players, and also a team from Cameroon.

Also confirming their participation in the Merdeka Tournament are the Oman national team, who will be grouped with hosts Malaysia, and a team from New Zealand.