Stars For Double Over Congo Brazzaville

Black Stars' Captain, John Mensah ready for Congo on Friday

Michael Essien, the star attraction in Ghana's Nations Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville in Kumasi at 5p.m. on Friday, joins his teammates in camp ready to consumate his long-awaited comeback in front of soccer-crazy Oseikrom fans.

Black Stars Management Committee Chairman, Fred Pappoe, who confirmed Essien's arrival to the Graphic Sports said the Chelsea star was among the 20 players who began residential camping at the La Palm Beach Hotel on Sunday night to conclude preparations for the Africa Nations Cup Group I return tie.

Essien, who sustained a career-threatening knee injury at the Angola 2010 African Nations Cup leading to his absence at the South Africa 2010 World Cup, will be making his first appearance for the Black Stars in 16 months.

Fred Pappoe also revealed that the final quartet of Andre Dede Ayew, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jonathan Mensah and Prince Tagoe who sought permission were expected to join the team today.

Though Coach Goran Stevanovic chalked an emphatic 3-0 win over the Congolese in the first leg in Brazzaville on March 27 to top the group, Mr Pappoe thinks Friday's game will be a tough one.

'It's not going to be an easy game since matches played in June are usually difficult as they follow the tight European leagues.

'But we are hoping that the boys will put up a good show, as they always do on Friday', he said.

Skipper John Mensah also told the Graphic Sports that the Stars were ready to make Ghanaians happy again on Friday to maintain the lead.

Ghana now have a goal advantage over The Sudan who also have seven points after forcing a barren draw in Kumasi last October.

Stevanovic began non-residential preparations towards his first home game with a good number of his invited players last Thursday, hoping to get the full squad before leaving for Kumasi tomorrow.

The Serbian's team includes three locals —goalkeepers Sammy Adjei and Ernest Sowah, and striker Emmanuel Clottey who are already in camp.

According to the FA vice president, the first batch of the Congolese contingent was expected to arrive last night. The GFA shifted the game from Sunday to Friday to allow the Black Stars enough time to travel to South Korea for an international friendly next Tuesday.

Ghana's 24-man squad for the two games comprises Richard Kingson (Blackpool, England), Sammy Adjei (Hearts of Oak, Ghana), Ernest Sowah (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana) - Goalkeepers.

Defenders: John Paintsil (Fulham, England), Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), David Addy (Academica Coimbra, Portugal), Jonathan Mensah (Granada, Spain) Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim, Germany), John Mensah (Sunderland, England), Lee Addy (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia).

Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Schalke 04, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Sulley Muntari (Sunderland, England), Derek Boateng (Getafe, Spain), Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan, Italy), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France), Opoku Agyemang (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia).

Attackers: Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland, England), Prince Tagoe (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia), Dominic Adiyiah (Partizan Belgrade, Serbia), Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea, Ghana).