Djukovic names squad after tour

Accra, March 16, GNA - Ratomir Djukovic, head coach of Ghana's Black Stars would name his pre-World Cup squad after a two week world tour pencilled to end next week. The Serbian currently touring Europe is expected to name a squad that would form the basis for selection ahead of the Mundial in Germany where the Ghanaians travel as debutants.

Djukovic began a two week observation tour last week with a mission to ensure that he studies every Ghanaian player particularly in Europe in his quest to parade the finest for the Stars who are housed alongside Italy, Czech Republic and the United States of America in Group E. Whiles scouting, Djukovic who made history last October by qualifying Ghana to her maiden appearance by toppling pre-qualifier favourites, South Africa as well as Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Uganda is to monitor a friendly involving the Germans and America later in the month. Information pieced together by the GNA Sports indicates that the selected players would commence camping for the a month-long fiesta on May 16 in Portugal, where the former Rwandan coach will play three high profile warm up matches. Columbia, South Korea, Belgium, Iran and Ukraine are among teams expected to try the Ghanaians before departing to Wolfsburg, Germany to round up their preparations.

Fred Pappoe, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association told the GNA Sports that the Stars would not feature in any friendly until the May assembly where all the major Leagues would have ended to enable the team gather the best collection for the preparations. The Stars last played a friendly on March 1, a FIFA approved day for International friendlies in a duel they lost 0-1 to Mexico. Djukovic has stayed under the microscope after the team's abysmal performance at the African Cup of Nations in Egypt. The Ghanaians, four times champions exited in the first round with defeats to Nigeria and Zimbabwe and a win against Senegal. The coach's mode of selection received the biggest criticism with many calling for his head. The tour is expected to present him a wider scope- a basic and vital ingredient for selection.