Soccer News of Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Source: ghanasoccernet

2014 World Cup: Ex-Ghana star Baidoo backs world class players to excel in Brazil

Ex-Ghana international Stephen Baidoo is backing the country’s established players to deliver at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Coach Kwesi Appiah named a fairly ‘balanced’ provisional squad on Monday at a well attended press conference.

The Ghanaian trainer settled on 26-players for a camping exercise in the United States before he decides on his final 23 for the tournament in the South American country.

Appiah kept faith with the core of the players who helped him secure qualification to the mundial and only sprung a few surprise by including Leicester City left-back Jeffery Schlupp and Helsinborg whiz kid David Accam.

The squad has been viewed by many as ‘balanced’ due to the presence of experienced and youthful players in the squad.

And the former Ghana international believes the team will have a successful outing in Brazil.

“They are tried and tested players because we have all seen them. Kwesi has monitored their progress and picked the best for the country,” he said

“As far as I’m concerned, there is no problem at all. I am confident our established players can carry the flag of the country very high.

“We also have very seasoned and experienced players in the squad and they have been there before and so can deliver the goods for us.

“I think it’s a good squad devoid of many controversies and it’s good for us as a people.

“When you take a look at the players, it was really thought through well and I am happy with what we’re sending to the tournament.”

Ghana can boast of world class players who have chalked successes with their respective clubs abroad.

Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Kwadwo Asamoah are expected to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the team.

The Africans are paired in a difficult group which has old foes USA and Germany, as well as Portugal.