Black Stars to shift training to Kumasi on Thursday

Obuasi, Aug 31, GNA - The Senior National Soccer Team, the Black Stars currently camping at Obuasi are to shift training to Kumasi at 15.00 hours on Thursday for their final preparation and tune-up against the Cranes of Uganda on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Mr Kwasi Acheampong Owoahene, the Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee told the GNA Sports at the Len Clay Stadium where the Stars were training that they would train at the Kumasi Sports Stadium finally on Saturday.

The work rate of the players made up of seven foreign-based and eight local players was high as the Obuasi soccer fans who thronged the stadium had a lot to cheer about.

The players included skipper Stephen "Tornado" Appiah, Godwin Attram, Laryea Kingston, Matthew Amoah, JoeTex Frimpong, Aminu Dramani and John Painstil, all foreign-based.

The locals are made up of Issa Ahmed, Yusif Alhassan Chibsah, Aziz Ansah, Shilla Illiasu, Yahuza Abubakari and Hamza Mohammed and keepers Sammy Adjei George Owu.

Mr Owoahene said the team would have its full compliment by "this evening since we are expecting Michael Essien, Dan Edusei, Isaac Boakye and John Mensah this morning with Addoquaye Pappoe due to arrive from Israel this afternoon."

The Vice Chairman said the team was focused since they knew they had not qualified for the World Cup yet, adding that, "We will qualify after the last match and that there is no room for complacency".

"We are tackling the Ugandan match as we faced all other matches with the seriousness it deserves. Our destiny and our faith are in our own hands. I believe we will not allow this fine opportunity to slip away", Mr Owoahene stressed.

He enjoined Ghanaians to remember the team in their prayers. Head Coach Ratomir Dujkovic described Sunday's duel as "a do and die affair" since they needed the three points to enable the team to continue with their journey to Germany.

He said the players were motivated and with the high morale in camp, "we need to change history because for many years, the country has not been able to beat the Ugandans."