'Top Guns' Arrive Today

Accra, May 30, GNA - A chunk of the foreign-based players of the Black Stars notably those from France, Italy, Russia and Israel are expected to join their colleagues at the Obuasi camp ahead of the World Cup qualifier against neighbouring Burkina Faso on Sunday. Among them are skipper Stephen Appiah of Italian club Juventus and Michael Essien of Lyon in France.

Mr Fred Pappoe, Chairman of the Black Stars Management Board told the GNA sports in a telephone conversation that the final batch of players are expected on Tuesday.

Fifteen players including seven locals and a new call-up Joetex Frimpong of Nigerian club Enyimba are already in camp and the team is expected to move into top gear once all the foreign components arrive. Mr Pappoe said everything was being done to motivate the players and hoped the team will reciprocate the gesture by winning Sunday's game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Ghana trails Group Two leaders South Africa by three points and needs (Ghana) to win rest of her matches to make a maiden World Cup appearance in Germany next year.

Mr Pappoe said the team would go on a two-day break after the Burkina Faso game and move to Kenya on June 8, for a final brush-up before their crunch duel against South Africa in Soweto on June 18.