Appiah gets full squad

Ghana’s preparation for Friday's World Cup qualifier against Zambia in Kumasi was boosted with the arrival yesterday of DR Congo-based duo, Richard Kissi Boateng and Solomon Asante, handing coach Kwasi Appiah the full complement of his squad.

The TP Mazembe players were the last to arrive, and expected to join 24 others in camp for the final days of training for the decider in Africa's qualifying Group D.

Earlier in the day, Norway-based goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey had pulled out of the preparations after assessments by doctors confirmed an injury he had carried to camp.

The team's morning training session had attracted a large army of fans, perhaps, for the air of excitement generated by the return of important trio of Chelsea's midfield dynamo Michael Essien, Andre Dede Ayew of French side Olympique Marseille and Kevin-Prince Boateng who joined Bundesliga side Schalke 04 from Italy's AC Milan last week.

The three influential players had missed the Black Stars recent campaign for various reasons, but the crowd cheered their appearance and performance as Coach Appiah and his team took them through different drills.

There was uncertainty about the health of skipper Asamoah Gyan after he pulled out of the morning's training session midway through, but Coach Appiah told the media afterwards that doctors were assessing what was believed to be a muscle sprain.

And with Mubarak Wakaso, Jonathan Mensah, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Christian Atsu, among others, in camp, the Stars remain in a confident mood for Friday's game.

The team is scheduled to leave Accra this morning for Kumasi after yesterday evening's behind-closed-doors training session.

By Michael Quaye/Daily Graphic/Ghana