Kuffour's storm in a tea cup

Ghana's coach Fred Ossam Duodu is still waiting to hear from his top star Samuel Kuffour of Bayern Munich. The two have had what appears to be a public disagreement via the media.

The dispute started when Kuffour criticised the management of the Black Stars, on this website.

Coach Ossam Duodu, read the story, and wrote to the player asking him whether the comments made were correctly attributed to him or not.

Speaking from Ghana's training camp in Winneba, Ossam-Duodu told BBC Sport Online that he just wanted Kuffour to clarify what he had said.

The Ghana FA say they have heard nothing from Kuffour, although he is reported to have faxed an apology which has also been sent to local radio stations in Accra.

Misunderstanding

But it seems the whole affair is a bit of a long distance misunderstanding.

Kuffour told BBC Sport Online that he was now in trouble because of the comments he made here, and said he didn't want to say any more on the subject.

Coach Ossam-Duodu told BBC Sport Online that the local media had over reacted to the story.

In order for for the coach to respond properly to questions about it from the local media, he wanted to first establish whether indeed Kuffour had been quoted correctly.

Ossam-Duodu was then played the audio of Kuffour where he criticized the way in which Ghana's former captain Charles Akunnor has been dropped from the team.

The player felt strongly that 27 year old Akunnor should have been told about it instead of hearing it from the media.

In response, Ossam-Duodu said he didn't feel it was his job to telephone every "old player" to tell them they are not in his immediate plans.

He asked "am I supposed to telephone Yaw Preko and say sorry Yaw you are not in the team? Am I supposed to phone Abedi Pele to say I'm sorry you are not in the team?"

The coach said he was simply asked for his preliminary squad for the African Cup of Nations, and Akunnor wasn't on his list.

Ghana's plans

Coach Ossam Duodu conceded that Kuffour's place is the Ghana team was not threatened.

He simply described him as "his boy" whose father has written to him, and would like him to respond.

The coach outlined Ghana's plans in preparation for Mali 2002.

The Black Stars are due to play against Mali on December 25th.

The European based professionals are then due to play in Spain, followed by a friendly against Egypt in Cairo.

One last preparation match is currently being lined up in Ghana before the team travel to Mali.

Fred Ossam-Duodu says he's had an encouraging response from his foreign based players.

He expects 90 percent of them to be in camp before the friendly in Mali.