Six foreign-based professionals arrive today

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - Six foreign-based professionals are expected to arrive on Monday to beef up a 10-man locally assembled squad as caretaker coach Sam Ardey strategies for his first major assignment against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday. An additional five, including "prodigal son" Suley Mutari and skipper Stephen Appiah are expected to join their colleagues in Kumasi on Tuesday.

Those expected on Monday are Ibrahim Tanko, Samuel Osei Kuffour (Germany), John Mensah (Italy), Kofi Amponsah (Greece), Emmanuel Addoquaye Pappoe (Israel) and France-based Michael Esisien. Arrowhead Baffour Gyan, goalkeeper Sammy Adjei and young striker Kwadwo Poku complete the list for those arriving on Tuesday. The Black Stars would have a friendly against a yet to be named side on Thursday to fine tune for the crucial duel.

Coach Ardey took over the reigns of the Black Stars job a moth ago after Portuguese's trainer Mariano Barreto's shock exit. It will be Ardey's second stint with Stars after deputizing for Dutchman Rinus Israel during the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Burkina Faso.

The Stars share the top spot with DR Congo on seven points apiece but with a superior goal difference followed by South Africa with six points while Cape Verde Island are bottom on the table with just four points. Meanwhile, Dr Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) left Accra on Sunday on a three-day European tour to interact with federation leaders and Ghanaian professionals players with regards to Sunday's match. He is also expected to unveil the FA's long-term technical plans, a statement said on Monday.