Ishmael Addo, four others sacked

A new disciplinary code, outlined by Coach Millan Zivadinovic early last week, claimed prominent casualties on Monday when the Yugoslav coach submitted a list of 27 players to form the nucleus of the Black Stars. Conspicuously missing from Mr Zivadinovic?s list are Ghana?s three-time goalking Ishmael Addo and Bernard Don Bortey who were tipped to make the grade.

Others who fell victim to the coach?s disciplinary action were teammates Dan Oppong, Kwame Antwi and Massawudu Yahya, all of Heart of Oak. Sources indicate that the four players were sidelined by the Yugoslav in his scheme of things for absenting themselves from training without permission during the recent justifier for local players. Though these players can be counted out Zivadinovic?s plan at least for now, they can dream of another romance with the Black Stars under the same coach later as the doors have not been completely shut on them yet.

Those who passed the first test, however, include goalkeepers Ssammy Adjei, James Nanor (Hearts), Osei Boateng (Kotoko) and Isaac Amoako (B.A United). Others are Princeton Owusu Ansah, Solomon Laryea (Goldfields), Joe Hendricks, Hamza Mohamed, Nana Arhin-Duah (Kotoko), Edward Sosu (Power F/C), Felix Yeboah, Abdul Mutalib (Hasaacas), Agbadu Kasami, Alex Kyeremanteng (RTU), Alfred Darko, John Paintsil, Daniel Yeboah, Jonathan Quartey (Liberty), Iddrisu Yahaya and Stephen Debrah (Faisal). The rest are Paa Joe Kumah (Olympics), Mohammed Polo (Dawu) and Asare Nyarko (Okwawu United).

Meanwhile, the Stars trainer left the country for Europe on Sunday night to meet and interact with the Europe-based Ghanaian players. While there, he is expected to acquaint himself with the players and establish the necessary relations with the various club officials to enhance the easy response of players to future invitations for national assignments.

Zivadinovic is expected back in the country on 4 August to begin the next phase of preparations for the Stars? Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda on 8 September. Aside of that maiden assignment Zivanovic will, as part of his responsibilities, prepare the national Under-23 team, Black Meteors for an Olympic Games qualifying match on 22 September.