Cranes to test Stars in Tamale

The Black Stars will prepare for their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mali by taking on Uganda in an international friendly in Tamale on May 31. GFA vice president Fred Pappoe says the Stars will set up base in Tamale well ahead of the tie when the various European seasons end and brush up with a game against Uganda before travelling to Bamako for the meeting of the two teams tipped to compete for the sole ticket available in Group D.

“We settled on Uganda because we think they play very athletic football and will give us the perfect preparations”, Pappoe told KickOffGhana.com. “We are also camping in Tamale because the climatic conditions there are similar to what we will have to deal with in Bamako.”

While Ghana’s plans for the Mali qualifier looks smooth on paper, it could be hampered by late arrivals with many of the country’s Europe based players certain to arrive in Accra in the final week of May.

Chelsea star Michael Essien will definitely miss the Uganda game with the midfielder likely to line up for Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley a day before the Stars take on the Cranes.