Appiah, Mensah, Essien, Muntari, Paintsil ....

..... exclusive group of five
Milovan Rajevac has named his five favoured players who would form the spine of the Black Stars as he begins his tenure as Ghana coach.

The new coach was officially introduced on Monday by the Ghana Football Association.

Rajevac says he will stay in the country for up to three months, getting to know the local contenders for a place in the Ghana squad while following the performances of the international players.

The Serbian in an exclusive interview with www.ghanafa.org listed Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and John Paintsil as the spine of Black Stars team.

After naming the five as the core around which his team would function, Milovan Rajevac, says the rest need to justify their inclusion.

“We will begin by assessing every player. We will assess the local players and the foreign-based players,” Rajevac said.

”Absolutely! Everybody registered as a Ghanaian player has got a chance. I will monitor players from the Ghanaian league and the foreign-based players in their respective leagues.”

Milovan Rajevac does not intend pushing through wholesale changes with his first competitive game coming next month in the joint qualifiers for the 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup competitions against Libya in Tripoli on September 5.

“I don’t intend to build a new team or make a big change but it is a fresh beginning for all. There will be equal opportunities for all.”

“But I will build my team around Stephen Appiah, John Mensah, Micheal Essien, Sulley Muntari and John Paintsil. They are the spine of the team,” Milovan Rajevac told www.ghanafa.org.

Milovan Rajevac admits he is ready to accomplish the difficult task of qualifying Ghana to the 2010 World Cup finals to be hosted in South Africa.

“I am here because of the World Cup,” Rajevac told www.ghanafa.org through an interpreter.

“I believe in the ability of the Ghana national team to qualify for the World Cup once again.

“It’s a wonderful challenge which wouldn’t be easy but I am hopeful of leading Ghana to South Africa.

“But I know with the support of the FA, the team, committed players, the fans and everyone involved, we would make it.”