Stars set for first training today

Nineteen out of the 21 invited Black Stars players will train on Tuesday evening in Accra for the first time ahead of Sunday's 2010 final world cup qualifier against Mali.

 
Captain Stephen Appiah led the early arrivals in camp as he touched down on Sunday night to lead his colleagues.

 
He is among the 14 Europe-based players who have so far arrived to start training ahead of Sunday's clash with Mali.

 
Home-based quartet Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Daniel Addo, Lee Arday and Daniel Agyei were among the first to report to camp.

 
They were joined by Qatar-based striker Opoku Agyemang who was handed a late call-up by coach Milovan Rajevac.

 
"You know we also have a friendly against Angola on 18 November and we have invited him as a back-up if case there are some withdrawals," Rajevac told Ghanasoccernet.com.

 
Chelsea ace Michael Essien and FC Basel's Samuel Inkoom will arrive late on Tuesday night and will team up with their colleagues before their departure to Kumasi on Thursday.