19 Black Stars players begin training,Tuesday

Stars line up for a crucial match

Nineteen players of the senior national team the Black Stars are to begin training on Tuesday at the El-wak Sports Stadium ahead of the final World Cup clash against Mali in Kumasi.

Captain Stephen Appiah arrived Sunday night to join 14 of his Europe-based colleagues to begin preparations for next Sunday's clash.

Chelsea Star Michael Essien and Samuel Inkoom are expected to join the team Tuesday evening from their European bases, prior to the Stars departure to Kumasi on Thursday.

Coach Milovan Rajevac handed a late call up to Satellites striker Opoku Agyemang, bringing the total number of the gold winning U-20 team to seven.

Golden boot award winner of that competition and who is part of the Stars campaign against Mali on Sunday, Dominic Adiyiah said he will keep a cool head even though expectations of him are high.

It is not likely he might get a first team place, following the devastating form of lead strikers Mathew Amoah and Asamoah Gyan, but the U-20 star said he will respect the decision of the coach.

Sunday's clash is of no consequence, as all four teams in Group D have their fate already decided.

Ghana picked the sole world cup slot for South Africa whilst Mali and Benin joined her (Ghana) for Angola 2010.

Whilst Ghana is set to use the match as preparations for the 2010 Nations and World Cup, Mali have revenge on their minds having lost 0-2 to the Black Stars in Bamako.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana