Stars Arrive in kampala

Four time African Champions, the Black Stars of Ghana Jetted in yesterday morning beaming with confidence ahead of their crucial tie with the Cranes in a 2004 Nations Cup qualifier.

The team, sporting blue and white tracksuits with a host of professional players plying their trade in Europe touched down at 8.50a.m.

Over 20 Ghanaians living in Uganda welcomed the team. Livingstone Lajan represented FUFA.

"We expect to win the game because we are good," Skipper Stephen Appiah who plays for Brescia in Italy said.

His colleague who scored one of the goals in Borussia Dortmund FC's win in the Germany Cup last weekend, Otto Addo said it will be a difficult game.

"We don't know much about Uganda. But I will try to look for the goals," the tall midfielder added.

Ghana's Yugoslav tactician, Millan Zivadinovic said he has an experienced team full of talent. He said they should be able to get a win.

"Though I don't know much about Ugandan football, with most of my players playing in Europe, we must win this game," he said.

Asked about Ghana's 2-1 loss to Cranes in the Castle Lager Cup two years' ago, Zivadinovic dismissed it as something in the past. He said this is a new generation. He said although his team failed to play build-up games as he had wanted, the three days they camped in Accra helped him streamline the team.

Apart from midfielder Razak Ibrahim (Saint Etienne, France) who was expected to join the team later in the evening yesterday, all the players arrived and are booked in Kampala Regency Hotel.

In the Cranes camp, Ireland based Livingstone Mbabazi (St. Patrick) trained with the team yesterday. "I am ready to give my best on Saturday," was all he said.

Cranes Coach Paul Hasule said he's happy to have all the players together now.

"There are no major injuries and I am happy the two professionals Ibrahim Sekajja and Mbabazi are looking good," he added.

The coach however said Mbabazi looked sluggish in the morning training session probably due to the eight hour flight. Mbabazi's arrival for the crucial tie is a big boost to the team's midfield.

Black Stars squad:

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak), George Owu (Asante Kotoko)

Defenders: John Mensah (Chievo Verona, Italy), Kofi Amponsah (PAOK Salonika, Greece), Daniel Edusei (Egalou, Greece), Yakubu Abubakari (Ajax, Holland), Christian Gyan (Feyernord, Holland), Daniel Yeboah (Liberty, Ghana) and Joe Hendricks (Asante Kotoko, Ghana).

Midfielders: Edmund Copson, (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), Stephen Appiah (Brescia, Italy), Hans Sarpei (Wolfsburg, Germany), Michael Essien (Bastia, France), Sule Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Derek Boateng (Panathinaikos, Greece) and Otto Addo (Borussia Dortmund, Germany).

Forwards: Augustine Ahinful (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Charles Taylor (Hearts of Oak, Ghana).