Tight Security For Black Stars

Rashi Pelpuo

ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES have beefed up security at the Black Stars camping base of Cabinda, Sports Minister Rashid Pelpuo has announced.

He said this was based on his appeal for increased security for the Black Stars after a fierce gun attack on the Togo national team by gunmen.

Hon. Pelpuo noted that henceforth visibly armed men would accompany the Black Stars throughout the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

“After the fierce attack on Togo, I met with Angolan officials including the Defence, Interior, Transportation and Sports ministers to discuss what they can do to ensure the safety of the Ghana team.

“The Angolan officials immediately beefed up security at our camping base including visibly armed security personnel and this would last throughout our stay in the tournament.”

The Youth and Sports Minister therefore flatly debunked speculations that Ghana might consider withdrawing from the tournament for security reasons.

Hon. Pelpuo disclosed that the new security precaution has been communicated to the Black Stars who now feel comfortable and safe to feature in the tourney.

Meanwhile, Ghana's two injured players Hans Sarpei and Anthony Annan have returned to full fitness, according to Ghanasoccernet.com.

The website disclosed that the two foreign-based players were major doubts for the opening Group B matches of the tournament in Angola.

But they both trained fully with the entire squad on Sunday, in anticipation of their clash against Togo.

Annan suffered a knee injury before the Black Stars started their training camp in South Africa.

He could not train with the entire team in their Nelspruit pre-tournament camp because of the injury but was part of the full squad during Sunday's training.

 Sarpei suffered a slight hamstring injury during their camping in South Africa but was also able to train fully on Sunday.

This means coach Milovan Rajevac will have his full squad when they start their campaign on Friday against Ivory Coast as Michael Essien is expected to have joined by then.

From I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi