Clubs Refuse to Release Black Stars Players

The management of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Accra Hearts of Oak and Obuasi Goldfields have refused to release their players called up to the Black Stars camp, which is scheduled to begin today at the Winneba Sports College in the Central Region.

The three clubs who between them are contributing fifteen players out of the twenty two invited locally based invited to camp say it is impossible for them to agree to the Ghana Football Association’s request to use their key players for preparations for CAN 2002 early next year when this years league schedule and competitiveness requires to be the best.

In separate interviews with JOYonline, the chief executive of Hearts, Harry Zakkour, the board chairman of Kotoko, Herbert Mensah and the manager of Obuasi Goldfields club, A.D. Zonderland unanimously called for proper consultation between the clubs and the Black Stars coach, Fred Osam Duodo to fashion out a better arrangement workable for both the clubs and the national team. Meanwhile the coach of the Black Stars, Fred Osam Duodo says he is going ahead with his camping plans.

He asked that premier league clubs whose players have been invited to camp see the call-ups as a national assignment. As at yesterday, only five players had shown up. Among them are Moses Tetteh of Liberty Professionals and goalkeeper, James Nanor of Accra Hearts of Oak were the only players out of twenty-two available to travel with the national teams handlers to Winneba. The acting head coach of the Black Stars, Fred Osam Duodu last week invited a 22-member squad to begin camping in preparation for next years African Cup of Nations in Mali.

Among those called-up is Asante Kotoko’s central defender, Joe Hendricks. Hendricks has by this invitation gained his international call in his soccer career but has also not turned up.

Other players to have earned the call to represent Ghana’s National team are John Paintsil of Berekum Arsenals, Ibrahim Kluvie of Real Tamale United and Moses Tetteh from Liberty Professionals. Players invited from Hearts of Oak are Jacob Nettey, Ishmael Addo, Charles Taylor, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, James Nanor and Sammy Adjei both goalkeepers.

Others are Kotoko’s Godwin Ablordey, Isaac Owusu and Osei Boateng. The bulk of the squad was taken from Obuasi Goldfields. Players invited from Goldfields are Princeton Owusu Ansah, Isaac Boakye, Kofi Amoako, Aminu Musa, Nana Arhin Duah and Yaw Owusu. Hamza Mohammed of Real Tamale United and Issa Mohammed from Sekondi Hasaacas were also called up to sharpen-up for the game. The players were to begin a busy session yesterday and break on Thursday to join their clubs for league assignments.

The trend of camping would continue until November 15th after which the team will embark on a training tour.