3 International Friendlies For Stars

Three international friendly matches have been lined up for the Black Stars as part of their preparations towards their 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in Kampala next month.

The matches, to be played in Europe would be Coach Millan Zivadinovic’s final brush up before the game against Uganda.

The matches will be played against the national teams of Greece, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

FA boss, Ben Koufie confirmed that although all the three nations have agreed to play Ghana, there are still some knotty issues to be sorted out with the respective foreign Associations.

The FA boss disclosed that the Black Stars team is likely to be dominated with players from the Greek and Turkish regions with some call-ups from other European countries.

When everything is sorted out, the locally based players would be joining their foreign colleagues in an European base yet to be arranged by Millan Zivadinoic.

From the European base, the Black Stars would fly straight to Kampala for the duel.

But the team might face some problems with player call-ups as Ghana’s representative in the CAF Cup Winners Cup, Asante Kotoko would be taking on Egyptian side, Ghazel El Mahala on 1st September in Kumasi. Four of Asante Kotoko’s first team players are currently members of the Black Stars team.

Meanwhile, the FA is yet to announce a date when the Black Stars coach, Millan Zivadinovic would be meeting coaches in the Northern sector to discuss the training programme for the Stars. He met those in the Southern sector on Monday.

The issue of the Kotoko call-ups will be discussed when he meets Asante Kotoko’s coach, Ian Poterfield.

Millan’s Training Schedule Suffers Setback

Ghana’s preparations for her first African Cup of Nations qualifier in Kampala against, Uganda next month has suffered serious set backs, due to the inability of the locally based players to honour new Black Starts coach, Millan Zivadinovic’s invitations for training.
Millan, who has been organizing weekly workouts for the locals would have to revise his programme since the mid-week league matches continue to hamper his preparations. GFA boss, Ben Koufie has promised to meet with the Yugoslav this week to deliberate on how best the problem can be resolved.
Players in the Southern sector resume camping with the Black Stars on Monday, immediately after league games on Sundays and end in the evening to join their respective clubs for their mid-week matches.
The Ghana Football Association Chairman says it would be very difficult to change the league fixtures at this crucial time to make way for the Black Stars preparation against Uganda.
The only solution therefore is to map out a new training schedule that will not disrupt the league as well as the Black Stars’ training programme.
Millan on Monday conferred with coaches in the Southern sector in a bid to find out about their problems as well discuss his training programme for the Black Stars.
Among the coaches who were invited for meeting are Liberty’s Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, Herbert Addo from Hearts of Oak, J.E. Sarpong of Dawu Youngsters and David Duncan of Olympics.
Coaches of Power FC, Maxbees and Hasaacas did not honour the invitation. According to FA boss, Ben Koufie, a similar meeting would be arranged for the Northern sector coaches of premier clubs.