If there was one point of disagreement over the squad presented by national head coach Osam Duodu at the last Press Conference at the FA Secretariat last Friday, it was the conspicuous absence of the captain of the team C.K. Akunnor.

Coach Osam Duodu insists the list released was only provisional but that did not appease most of the sports journalists who wondered why C.K. could not be part of a large squad of 22, considering the fact that he is still very active in the bundesliga, forget about he being the captain of Wolfsbourg. If others are being given the chance to prove their mettle, why deny C.K. that opportunity, asks sports bi-weekly, Africa Sports.

Of course it is Osam Duodu who has his head on the chopping block and takes the final decisions. Hope he gets it alright in Mali.

Meanwhile, the Stars are expected to fly out today to meet Algeria on December 5. The local squad is expected to be beefed up the four foreign-based stars: George Blay (Belgium), Abdul Razak, John Mensah (Italy) and Techie Mensah.

After Wednesday’s friendly, the Stars are expected to play either Togo, Tunisia or Algeria on December 19, then play Mali on Christmas day December 25.

The team then flies out to Bilbao in Spain to play a select side on December 29. the Stars are expected to play their last Friendly on January 4, 2002 against Egypt after which Osam says he will name his final squad.