Black Stars players in town for Christmas holidays

Several of the Black Stars players have arrived from their bases in Europe to join their friends and families during the Christmas festivities and to eventually open Ghana’s preparations towards the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Andre Ayew is also in town having recovered from injury to help Olympique Marseille open a two-point lead at the top of Ligue 1.

The former French champions are determined to reclaim their past glory this term under new coach Marcelo Bielsa.

Ayew, however, arrives leaving his future at Marseille in the balance with his existing contract set to expire at the end of the season.

He has been linked with several clubs, especially in the English Premier League but has been adamant he remains open to extending his stay at the Stade Velodrome.

His younger brother, Jordan, who has hit a rich goal scoring form at club level despite Lorient’s relative struggle in the French top flight, is also in town.

Italy based duo Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu and Afriyie Acquah, who have been named in Ghana’s provisional squad for the 2015 AFCON, are already in Accra with the Serie-A on a winter break. Badu’s Udinese are currently mid-table halfway into the season with Acquah’s Parma languishing at the bottom of the league log, having gathered just six points so far and in dire need of a sensational turnaround.

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan also arrived on Tuesday to first promote his boxing bout between Emmanuel Tagoe and Sidicki Momba on Friday, and then to also undertake some charity events.

Most of the Black Stars players present are expected to throng the Accra Sports Stadium to witness the Boxing Day fight in support of their captain’s Baby Jet Promotions.

Solomon Asante, Baba Abdul Rahman, Enoch Adu Kofi, Ibrahim Moro, David Accam and Daniel Amartey, who have all been named in Ghana’s provisional AFCON squad are all in town.

The likes of John Boye, Jeffry Schlupp, Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso, Kwesi Appiah, Abdul Majeed Waris and Albert Adomah were unable to make the trip to Ghana with their league competitions still in session.

Razak Braimah has also decided to remain in his base in Spain to train ahead of joining the Ghana camp.

The players in town are allowed to spend some time with their friends and family with the expectation of joining the Black Stars camp to commence preparations towards the 2015 AFCON in early January.



The Ghana team will travel to Seville in Spain to begin camping before the trimming of the 31-man squad by January 7.

The Black Stars will then fly into Mongomo in time for their opening Group C game against Senegal on January 19.

Ghana will also face South Africa and Algeria in their subsequent group games.