Stars Off To Algeria

Ghana are hoping to put a captaincy crisis behind them when they take on Algeria in a friendly as part of the African Nations Cup build-up. It will be the first meeting between the two former African champions in eight years. On that occasion, Algeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in Tlemcen in a World Cup qualifying match.

Apart from being a Nations Cup warm up game, Wednesday night's friendly is also a solidarity match to raise funds for November's Algerian flood victims.

Ghanaian coach Fred Osam-Duodu dropped skipper Charles Akunnor from his provisional squad. Several other kay members key members of the last Nations Cup squad were also dropped. The decision caused an uproar and deputy skipper Samuel Kuffour declined the offer of becoming the new captain.

However, the Algeria match will be Ghana's first friendly in the Nations Cup build up and Osam-Duodu has invited five foreign-based players in the 18-man side. This will be Algeria's first match at home since the abandoned friendly with France in October. Two other friendlies were cancelled last month due to the flood disaster.

In coach Rabah Madjer's 24-man squad, there are 10 foreign-based players including Nassim Akrour who plays for French second division side Istres. Madjer will also welcome Bilal Dziri of USM Alger who has recovered from an injury he had in June.

Stars leave For Algeria

Mon, Dec 3 -- A 26-MAN contingent of 18 players and eight officials of the Black Stars left Accra on Monday morning by a special Algerian Presidential jet to engage the Desert Warriors of Algeria in an international friendly in Algiers today.

The players who made the trip are Emmanuel Osei Kuffuor, Ishmeal addo, Charles Taylor, James Nanor, Sammy Adjei, Jacob Nettey all of Accra Hearts Of Oak, Issa Mohammed, Kwabena Boafo (Hasaacas) Awudu Adama (Dawu Youngsters) and John Paintsil (Berekum Arsenals).

The rest are Moses Tetteh (Liberty Professionals) Hamza Mohammed, Ibrahim Kluvie, (Real Tamale United), Princeton Owusu Ansah, Kofi Amoako, Isaac Boakye, Aminu Mussa all of Goldfields and Prince Amoako who plays in the Russian league.

This local component of the Stars will be joined in Algeria today by Belgium-based George Blay, Genoa Star John Mensah and Razak Ibrahim of Italian side Empoli.

The officials who accompanied the team are head coach Fred Osam-Duodu, Francis Oti Akenteng, Malik Jabir, Kudjoe Fianoo, Charles Botchway and Dr Fordjour.

The leader of the delegation is GFA management board member, Abedi Ayew Pele, and Mr Kojo Quarshie, a member of the Black Stars management committee.

Tomorrow's match against the Desert Warriors is the first in a series of friendlies lined up to toughen the Black Stars before participating in the Africa Nations Cup in Mali next month.

The Ghanaian contingent is expected back home on Thursday.