The senior national team, the Black Stars, arrived home on Tuesday amid heavy security presence at the Kotoka International Airport and without much fanfare after failing to qualify for the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The Stars lost their quarterfinal encounter with neighbouring Nigeria after scrapping through the preliminary round.

The team was met on arrival by the Minister for Youth and Sports, Edward Osei Kwaku MP and Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Association, Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah and was cheered on by a few soccer fans.

GFA capo, Ben Koufie said he thought the Stars could go beyond the quarterfinal stage but failed because the boys could not raise their game in the second half as they lost most of the 50-50 balls.

He said the current team would be retained adding that plans are afoot to arrange trial matches with some of the teams that have qualified for this year's World Cup, to keep the boys in shape for 2006 World Cup dream.

The Chairman described as malicious and baseless reports that he has fired head coach Osam Duodu. "They are wicked lies being told by the press who want to spoil our programme and the team", he said.

Mr. Koufie said the coach was given a mandate to take the team to the Cup of nations and since the tournament is over the GFA would decide on his future.

Mr. Osam Duodu said they went to the tournament to make an impression and that he was satisfied with the team's performance adding that the boys should be kept together for future tournaments.

Ask about his future plans with the team, the coach said he is only a technical director and would consider his future with the team.