Soccer News of Tuesday, 30 October 2007

Source: GNA

Le Roy searches for second striker

Accra, Oct 30, GNA - Ghana's Black Stars trainer, Claude Le Roy has commenced a search for a second striker as he draws his final strategies for the Africa Nations Cup.

He conceded to the GNA Sports that one of the weaknesses of the Stars so far is the inability of discovering a second striker to support Asamaoh Gyan up front.

Le Roy rates Gyan among the world's best 100 and believes getting another support would profit the quest of the Stars to win her fifth Nations Cup on home soil.

"It is important to get a solid bench to push the dream of winning the trophy on course".

The trainer said the team would alternatively learn to adapt and rely on their strength during the competition that spans three weeks.

"If we do not achieve that desire, all we need is a complete team because that is when we are at full strength and our weaknesses will hardly matter because we can then complement each other."

One area that would force Le Roy to take a tough decision with regards to selection is inactivity among the players at their various Clubs.

He told GNA Sports "it will be a problem for me to fill players who are only 'bench warmers' with their clubs.

"What we need is the best to win every game and the trophy and if a player is only confined to the bench, it doesn't give him enough opportunities."

Coach Le Roy said Ghana has a responsibility to lift the trophy to equal Egypt's record fifth and it behoves on the players who would make the final 23 to prove they have the interest of the country at heart during the competition.

Ghana will play Guinea in the tournament's opener on Sunday, January 20, at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra and is housed alongside Morocco and Namibia in Group A of the Ghana CAN 2008.