Appiah upbeat as Meteors gather in Kumasi

Ghana's U-23 team kicked off training in Kumasi today with coach of the side, Kwesi Appiah upbeat about their chances for Sunday's All Africa Games qualifier against Nigeria.

The Black Meteors need two unanswered goals at the Baba Yara Stadium to edge out their rivals for the sole ticket to the Games from Zone III.


Kwesi Appiah has just a handful of the members who started in the 3-1 loss in Benin State on the first day of training in Kumasi due to club commitments.


More than ten members of the squad have returned to their bases in Europe for pre-season with the crucial qualifier just days away.


However, the Black Meteors coach is sticking to the squad at hand as he expects other members to join in later on in the week.

"Considering the timing of the fixture which clashes with resumption of pre-season training by almost all European clubs, the availability of some members who played in the first leg in uncertain," the Ghana coach said.


"The next two days would give us a clearer picture of who would be available. But we have some assurances from some players to turn up for training.


"Despite that, I am more than confident that we can beat them (Nigeria). We just need to keep our focus and get on with the job at hand."


The winner over two legs, secures qualification to the Games in Mozambique in September.