Soccer News of Wednesday, 31 August 2005

Source: GNA

Essien, three others join Stars today

Accra, Aug. 31, GNA - Africa's most expensive player, Michael Essien and three other key foreign legions of the Black Stars, join their colleagues on Wednesday at the Obuasi camp ahead of the penultimate World Cup qualifier against the Cranes of Uganda on Sunday.

Team Doctor, Martin Engman, told the GNA Sports in a telephone conversation that the Chelsea midfielder (Essien), John Mensah of Chievo Verona in Italy, Issac Boakye of Arminia Bielefeld (Germany) and Israel-based Emmanuel Addoquaye Pappoe have all left their European bases and were expected at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Obuasi by the close of day.

A 15-member squad including eight local components have begun camping to fine tune before the crunch duel at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Inspirational skipper Stephen Appiah, Dan Edusei, Joetex Frimpong, offensive midfielder Godwin Attram and important goal scorer Mathew Amoah are already in camp.

Coach Ratomir Dujkovic has made a surprise inclusion in the team with the call up of young goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy of Feyenoord Academy.

He joins his two senior colleagues, Sammy Adjei of Accra Hearts of Oak and George Owu of AhantiGold.

The team is expected to move to Kumasi on Friday for a final brush up before the big game.

Ghana tops the log on 15 points, albeit on goals difference in Group Two made up of South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Cape Verde.

South Africa is on the heels of Ghana also on 15 points but with inferior goals followed by DR Congo on 12 points. The group's dark horses Cape Verde Island occupy the fourth position with 10 points, Burkina Faso on 9 points while Uganda is rooted at the bottom with seven points.

The Stars would have to win their last two games to join the world soccer elites in Germany next year.