The Black Stars Situation

This Sunday, the Senior National team play Sudan in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Omdurman.

The team's initial plan of acclimatising in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia could not come on because of our inability to assemble the foreign based players until 5 days to the match whilst we needed 2 weeks for that purpose.

Considering the performance of the team in our last match, there was the need to have at least 5 days training sessions as team before our next assignment against Sudan.

However, preparations for the team have not been the best in view of the crucial nature of the match.

Out of the 13 local based players called to camp, only 7 reported with the rest deciding to play a friendly match before joining the team while others chase their visa for travelling abroad.

This means that the Black Stars was relegated to play second fiddle to the clubs.

Furthermore we are certain that only four out of the 11 invited foreign based players will be with the team for the Sudan match.

As at now, Charles Amoah is concerned about his contract with his new club and cannot come. Samuel Osei Kuffour will play in Moscow against Spartak and assured us that he will be coming for the match. The rest gave us their word that they will be here on Tuesday to enable us have a day's training before we leave Ghana as we insisted.

Surprisingly, on the eve of their arrival, C.K. Akonnor called to change his mind, while Sam Johnson's team sent a letter that he will play a match on Saturday and join the team in Sudan with a special jet.

We were also informed through a letter by Peter Ofori-Quaye's team that he got injured in their last league match. Yaw Preko also indicated that he had club commitments and therefore will not be able to honour the match.

However, Emmanuel Duah missed his flight and therefore will arrive tomorrow. Richard Kingson on the other hand will arrive this evening.

The picture has therefore compelled us to quickly fall on more local based players for deliverance. This, we have called on Godwin Ablordey (Kotoko), Sulley Muntari (Liberty Professionals), Charles Allotey and Dan Quaye (Hearts) and Frank Turkson (Hasaacas) to join us.

How can a national team prepare under such conditions for a World Cup qualifier.Nevertheless, I am prepared to give off my best. I am full of hope despite the volatile situation in which I find myself. And with God being on our side, who knows?

This was the release signed by Jones Cecil Attuaquayefio (Black Stars Head Coach) and released today.