Kuffour joins Hearts for Mali match

Accra, March 2, GNA - Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Accra Hearts of Oak's experienced midfielder is among the 20-man squad of the club presented for the crucial first leg Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) champions league match against Stade Malien scheduled for Bamako, at the weekend.

Osei Kuffour was suspended one month by the Interim Management Committee of the club but was recalled last week and even though he initially refused to join his colleague he has, however, on Monday started training with the team.

The player's decision to join the team according to information gathered by the GNA Sports follows series of talks held between him and the newly signed on German coach, Ernst Middendorp.

Coach Middendorp has been clamouring for the player's return since he took over the technical affairs of the team last week.

Other players making the trip are Sammy Adjei, James Nanor, Eben "Dida" Armah, skipper Yaw Amankwaah Mireku, Daniel Coleman, Kwame Antwi and Daniel Oppong.

The rest are Daniel Quaye, Louis Agyeman, Kwabena Boafo, Adjah Tetteh, Frank Kornu and Francis Bossman.

Bernard Don Bortey, who coach Middendorp had earlier dropped hints of being left out of the squad due to his inconsistency at training of late will however be leading the team's attack to comprise the likes of Samed Abdul, Ablade Morgan, Alfred Nii Larbi, Adjebu Lawson and Lawrence Adjei.

The team is billed to leave for Mali on Thursday with five officials of the technical team led by Coach Middendorp, Emmanuel Ofei-Ansah, Steve Akwetey, Sabhan Quaye and Aliu Adjei, the masseur. Hearts are scheduled to play Stade Malien on Sunday in the first leg of the CAF Champions league.