New national team coach, Mariano Barreto, has invited four foreign-based players for his first major assignment with the nations Olympic team, the Black Meteors.

The Portuguese has called up Michael Essien, Isaac Boakye, John Paintsil and John Mensah to augment the local squad which is scheduled to begin camping today.

Olympique Lyon midfielder, Michael Essien, though looks doubtful to honor the invitation.

The Meteors play Algeria on the 22nd February at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium in the African qualifying series of the 2004 Olympic games.

Barreto has already called up twenty locally based players drawn from Accra Hearts of Oak, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, King Faisal, Goldfields, Power FC, Liberty Professionals and Hasaacas.

High on the list is Asante Kotoko’s Charles Taylor who makes a return to the national scene and King Faisal’s rising midfielder, Prince Antwi.