Dujkovic Defends Mass Call-Up

Black Stars coach Ratomir Dujkovis has said taht the present crop of home-based players in camp is not his core squad for the world cup qualifier against Congo DR on March 27th.

Dujkovic has called up thirty five home based players for camping in a move that has been criticized in some quarters but the Serbian told Joy Sports that the camping program which began yesterday is only part of the routine camping arrangements that he has designed for home based players.

He also defended the call-up of former Black Stars striker Peter Ofor-Quaye who has been without a club after Greek side Olympiakos terminated his contract two years ago.

“ I had information that he is a very good player and an excellent guy but he must show in the camp and in practice to show his quality.” He said.

Asked if he was still shuffling around looking for players in a few days to the Congo DR match, Coach Dujkovic said camping for the match would start on March 20 and what they are having now is a checking camp because local teams would be playing in the 6th and 20th championships leagues in Africa stressing “ our foreign players are playing in those competitions so he had no options.”

He stated that Congo DR is very strong, maybe stronger in Kinshasa because they have been playing local, stressing that but we don't have options our team is better than Congo team so everything is now in the hands of our boys.”

The Blacks Stars are likely to set up base in Nairobi, Kenya one week before the Congo DR game but Dujkovic has spiked plans for a friendly match against Nigeria before the world cup qualifier.

He said, “It makes no sense” to play the number one ranked side in Africa when he can't have his best players.