Ghana persist with Nyarko

Ghana coach Fred Osam-Duodu is still prepared to track down France-based midfielder Alex Nyarko after a failed attempt to speak to him last Friday. Osam-Duodu wants to convince Monaco's Nyarko to rescind his decision to quit playing for Ghana in time for the African Nations Cup in Mali.

The decision will be crucial for the Ghana coach who is due to pick a squad soon to start preparations.

Osam-Duodu told BBC Sport Online that the defensive midfielder is not the first tricky case he has handled.

"I just want to ask Nyarko why he doesn't want to play again.

"Whether I get an affirmative answer or not, from what I will gather from him as reason, we shall record in order to prevent other players doing the same.

"Mohammed Gargo said the same years ago but I've brought him back in the side."

Although Nyarko's inclusion in the Ghanaian squad in Mali would be a boost, his absence will probably not be a great loss.

Ghanaian fans hardly talk of Nyarko and it is widely believed he could not make much of a difference after the Black Stars completed the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers without him.