Stars to arrive by Chartered flight

Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Feb. 20, GNA - Hundreds of Ghanaians are expected at Yamoussoukro, the Ivorian capital to welcome the Black Stars for the African Nation Championships (CHAN).

The Black Stars are expected to arrive by a chartered flight on Friday, three clear days before their first match against Zimbabwe at Bouake.

Yaw Nkansah, a Ghanaian based in Abidjan told the GNA Sports in Abidjan that he and his compatriots are organizing a large army of fans to Yamoussoukro to give the Black Stars a befitting welcome. "About hundred of us (Ghanaians) will be in Yamoussoukro to welcome the team. It's a long time we have seen a Ghanaian national team and we have to give them the best of our support.

"I have spoken to my colleagues in Bouake and they have assured of massive support for the Stars."

The Stars will be based at the four-star Presidential Hotel in Yammoussoukro, some few meters off the formerly rebelled dominated city of Bouake.

The group opponents of the Stars, the Greens of Libya will also arrive via a chartered flight from Tripoli and will lodge at the same hotel with the Ghanaians. The Warriors of Zimbabwe and the Leopards of DR Congo will touch down at the Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan also on Friday at 17H55 GMT and 17H00 GMT respectively. The two teams will then be airlifted to Yamoussoukro, specifically the four-star Parliamentary Hotel.

Tanzania and Senegal, all in Group A were the first to arrive on Thursday. The Chipolopolo of Zambia are also expected in town on Friday at 15H20 respectively. The CHAN is a tournament designed exclusively for local based footballers. 20 Feb. 09