No room for new players in Starlets squad - Manso

Accra, Aug. 9, GNA - Head coach of Ghana's Black Starlets, Frimpong Manso has shut the door on new players for at least now in their preparations for the African qualifiers.

The Starlets trek to Lusaka in a fortnight to face the Junior Chipolopolos of Zambia in the first leg clash of the first round of the CAF U-17 qualifiers, Rwanda 2011, and Manso says he is keeping faith with his current crop of players.

Manso, whose team demolished the Junior Wasps of Rwanda 5-1 in an international friendly last Sunday at the El-Wak Stadium, Accra told GNA Sports that he will select his final team from the players at his disposal.

"I won't be looking out for new players. I have 27 players in camp and will prune the list down to 25 by the close of the week."

The former Black Stars defender added that he will name his final team for the Zambian test next week after undertaking series of friendly matches.

"We will engage at least one friendly match this weekend but not with an opponent of equal strength.

"Then I will name the 18-man squad after that game to commence the final preparations for the African qualifier."

Coach Manso, however, said that he will consider other players after the first leg to strengthen other departments of his team.

Despite hammering a seemingly under-strength Rwandan side, coach Manso expressed satisfaction with the performance of his players.

He described the signs as positive as part of their preparations to face the Junior Chipolopolos.

The first leg will take place on the weekend of August 27-29, with the return leg slated for Accra on the weekend of September 10-12.

The winner will advance to the final round of the qualifying series and will face either Guinea or Senegal for a ticket to the continental championship.

The Black Starlets, the African champions failed to qualify for the last edition held in Algeria after being edged out by Gambia at the final round.