Kumasi, June 2, GNA - An Assistant Coach of the Senior National Team, the Black Stars, Kwasi Appiah, has expressed optimism about the team's chances in their crucial African Nations Cup qualifier against the Red devils of Congo at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday.

He said the morale in camp was very high with the arrival of almost all the key players of the team, stressing that the team would count on their vociferous fans to record a sound victory over their counterparts.

Coach Appiah told the GNA Sports in Kumasi that in spite of the fact that the Stars boasts of world class players, the technical team was leaving no stone unturned to ensure total victory.

"We are approaching the match with the seriousness it deserves and under no circumstance would we underestimate our opponents since association football was full of surprises".

The Assistant Coach said almost all the players invited for the match had arrived with the exception of Andre Ayew who was expected to join his colleagues soon.

Meanwhile, the Stars had their first training session at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday under the guidance of head Coach Ivan Stevanovic.

The well-attended training session featured players including Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, Dan Opare, Kwadwo Asamoah, Lee Addy, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Jonathan Mensah, Agyemang Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Prince Tagoe, Kevin Prince Boateng, John Paintsil, Richard Kingson and Sammy Adjei among others.