Ghana Plays Benin On Sunday

The Caretaker Coach of Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, Emmanuel Afranie would parade a group of neophytes on Saturday as the Stars come up against Benin in a return international friendly match in Cotonou.

The coach was yearning to include some key ingredients in his locally assembled Black Stars for what promises to be a fierce encounter, but for unexplained reasons, the players failed to turn up.

Skipper Stephen Appiah had earlier told the Coach he was coming down to spice the squad with his experience while the likes of Baffour Gyan, Anthony Obodai and Lawrence Aidoo were even prepared to foot their own airfares to honour the invitation, but this could not materialise.

Observers say the players desire to come down to feature was premised on an earlier information that the Stars were to play the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Warri, this weekend; unfortunately, that match has been put off.

Apart from the foreign-based players, the most valuable player on the local scene Charles Taylor has shunned the team. The Stars won the first leg 3-0 in Kumasi some three weeks ago without all these key players though, but what makes the second leg quite sticky is the fact that the Beninniose are determined to rewrite the script come Saturday.

Reports say Benin officials are expecting at least half of their 13 foreign import most of who ply their trade in France and Belgium to feature. Benin may not be a strong footballing nation but the mere fact that they were able to hold Zambia 1-1 in the southern African country and whacked Tanzania 4-0 in a Cup of Nations qualifier, is a clear indication that they are not pushovers.

Despite the seriousness the French speaking West African country is attaching to the return encounter, Afranie is still confident to pull through. He admits that the players may look "green" but said that if a group of determined players are ready to deliver; the sky should be the limit.

The coach himself is attaching great importance to the match, at least, to send strong signals to the Ghana Football Association why he should be named the substantive head coach of the Stars.

Afranie is one of three coaches interviewed by the GFA last Monday for the top job and although he looks unlikely to be named, he is optimistic he could come up tops.

His optimism stems from the fact that he's got the richest Curriculum Vitae and perhaps his loyalty to Ghana is obviously higher than the others. And aside the coach's pride, which is on the line, the young players would want to excel in other to book a place in any future squad.