Early exodus heightens Milo's CHAN headache

Accra, Jan. 29, GNA - Ghana's trainer Milovan Rajevac has expressed concern over the early exodus of members of his team ahead of the African Nation Championship (CHAN) slated for February 22 to March 8 in Cote d'Ivoire. Week in and out, local based-players, some of whom are members of domesticated Black Stars leave the shores of the country for greener Pastures.

The team has lost about 10 players to the exodus train since the qualifiers for the newest competition on the African football calendar began in 2008, and Milovan believes that practice is largely detrimental to his plans to build a formidable team for the three-week tourney. The latest to join the exodus train is Asante Kotoko striker Eric Bekoe, who has joined Egyptian Premier side Petrojet.

Milovan cried out to GNA Sports that his frustration perpetuates anytime such players leave the shores of the country as it slows his team building process. "Our target is the ultimate, but my headache is the exodus of players."

The Stars trainer disclosed that he is compelled to draft in some members of the Black Satellites (U-20) who have exhibited great potential at the ongoing 16th African Youth Championship in Rwanda. "I admire the character of the team and most of the players have the qualities of hope." Though he was tight-lipped on the identities of the players, he was blunt that some members of the Black Satellites will play a part in the CHAN campaign.

Ghana to be housed in Bouake, Northern Ivorian city has been drawn in Group B alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya and Zimbabwe for the competition designed exclusively for footballer playing in their domestic leagues. The Stars will open their campaign against the Warriors of Zimbabwe on February 23, play the Greens of Libya three days later before wrapping up against the Leopards of DR Congo on March 1.