X-files: Tracking The Blackstars For CAN2002

Stephen Appiah is looking ahead to Mali-2002, he has told coach Osam Duodo and more significantly Ghanaians “ you watch me in Mali”.

Elsewhere, Swiss based ALEX TACHIE MENSON will be meeting F.A ambassador Adedi Ayew Pele this week in Zurich to negotiate for an early release for his inclusion in the black Stars training tour before the nations cup early next year.

CHARLES AMOAH may only be available in mid December whilst GEORGE BLAY has appealed to the GFA to send an official to personally meet his coach for a compromise before he can be released.

Another Ghanaian likely to get a first cap for the Black Stars is ABUBAKARI YAKUBU who has missed ONLY 3 league matches for AJAX in Holland.

BAFFOUR GYAN who plays for LIBEREC in the Czech Republic has made a remarkable transition with his new club and continues to be on the hit list of coach Osam Duodo.

DEREK BOATENG and PETER OFORI QUAYE may be included in the provisional Black Stars list. Coach Osam Duodo has confirmed that Sam Johnson might be used in midfield capacity and not in defense.

It appears there is little problem with SAMUEL OSEI KUFFOUR and C.K. AKONNOR both first team players for Bayern Munich and VFL Wolfsburg. The Bayern Munich defender and his midfielder captain will have a meeting with their former captain Adedi Ayew Pele who is likely to tell C. K. Akonnor to play more of an instrumental role in the team from now on. MOHAMMED GARGO who recently suffered a thigh injury whilst was back in action this weekend.

OTTO ADDO faces a battle to regain full fitness for his club side Borrusia Dortmund before thinking about a black Stars place. MICHAEL ESSIEN’S brilliant form for French side Bastia might be the green light for his first ever cup of nations tournament.

NII ODARTEY LAMPTEY might also be given the chance to justify his inclusion if he is able to honour at least two tour matches otherwise he might as well forget Mali 2002.

Monaco’s ALEX NYARKO has ruled himself out of Mali 2002 but Adedi Ayew Pele thinks he can convince his coach Didier Deschamps to release the 6,3 offensive midfielder.

YAW PREKO is still recovering from a recent injury and EMMANUEL DUAH has been a regular feature for Portuguese side Unioa Leira.

KWAME AYEW scored two goals over the weekend but will have to fight for a jersey in the Black Stars.

The goalkeepers in Europe have not been very regular with the exception of Ibrahim Dossey who has played a total of 280 minutes more than Richard Kingston.

X-files can reveal that for the first time in many years, foreign-based goalkeepers might not be invited to join the Black Stars! This means the local boys of JAMES NANOR, SAMMY ADJEI, ABUKARI KANKANI and GEORGE OWOO could be the pick of the Stars. In effect, Ghana’s Mali 2002 contingent could be dominated by local boys for once to the ratio of 60% as against 40% overseas players. Positive change or what?