Otto Addo not coming for Congo match

Ghana would miss the services of midfield dynamo Otto Addo for its January 14th African Cup 2002 slated qualifier against Congo DR in Kinshasa as his German team Borrusia Dortmund, could not release him on time.

In an interview, Coach Jones Attuquayefio said when he called Addo; he referred him to his Coach Mathias Sammer, who initially promised the player's coming down would not be a problem.

"When I called later for the confirmation, the coach informed me that the player is currently in Spain with the rest of the team preparing for the second half and can only be available for the world cup qualifier against Liberia in Accra ten days later.

He said although the player's absence is a big blow to the team, thankfully, others have confirmed their coming, adding, Sam Johnson has arrived for the match. Also expected to arrive tonight is Parma's Steven Appiah. Emmanuel Duah would arrive on Tuesday, whiles Hans Adu Sarpe has confirmed his coming.

On players like Mohammed Gargo and Christian Gyan who have openly resigned from the national team, Jones said it was important to identify what made them take that stance, address it and to enable them to rejoin their mates.

As to why the number of players assembled so far had reduced from seventeen to thirteen, Jones said his deputy skipper Samuel Osei Kuffour and Charles Amoah had had to leave and get clearance from their respective clubs before rejoining their colleagues.

"In the case of Augustine Ahinful, he said he had asked permission to attend to some private matters and would be in training tomorrow" Also at his post for the first time today, was deputy coach Kwasi Appiah who was appointed last Friday.

Meanwhile Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula, chairman of Gana football Association (GFA) has confirmed that the new government has pledged its support for the Black Stars and had requested for all expenses involved which they have sent for approval. "It is when we are given the approval that the details of the Kinshasa trip departure and other details would be known," he added.