You are here: HomeSports2008 02 01Article 138625

Soccer News of Friday, 1 February 2008

Source: --

Strikers Miss Training

Ghana's Black Stars are facing striking crisis on the eve of their MTN Africa Cup of Nations quarter final clash with rivals Nigeria. The eagerly awaited match will be played at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra tomorrow.

Striker Junior Agogo sat out of the team's training on Thursday while partner Asamoah Gyan trained alone with the team's Italian physical trainer Stefano Terrelli.

"Asamoah has a slight groin problem and needs to go slowly but is expected to play on Sunday," the Terelli said.

Gyan is also confident he will recover in time for the clash. "I don't want to stretch a lot. It is nothing serious," he said.

There was further bad news for the hosts when midfielder Nana Kwasi Asare, who plays in Belgium limped off with a thigh strain while first choice goalkeeper Richard Kingston wrapped ice blocks on both his knees at the end of the training session.

"There is no cause of alarm, it his daily routine after training," assistant coach Sellas Tettey said of the goalkeeper.

The rest of the team trained normally with emphasis on midfield play in anticipation of Sunday's battle with John Obi Mikel and company.

At the end of the training session, captain John Mensah and midfielder Michael Essien practiced penalty shooting incase the Nigeria encounter goes into a shoot out.

Former Hearts of Oak chairman Harry Zakkour donated energy drinks.