Accra, April 7, GNA - The local component of Ghana's Black Stars left Accra on

Wednesday morning for Nigeria to participate in the WAFU Cup of Nations. Eighteen players drawn from the Glo Premier League will represent Ghana in the competition that spans Friday, April 9 to Sunday, April 18, 2010. The squad is dominated by players who took part in the team's successful qualification for the second edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) billed for Sudan in 2011.

The Stars are drawn in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Liberia and Togo of the championship to be held in South-western Nigeria based Ogun State. Hosts Nigeria, Benin, Guinea and Senegal make up Group B, whilst matches will be held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta and the Gateway Stadium in Ijebu-Ode. Head coach Herbert Addo monitored by GNA Sports at the Kotoka International Airport prior to the team's departure said the players are high in spirit and are bent on returning with the ultimate.

Coach Addo also said the championship will serve as a perfect form of preparation for his team for next year's CHAN, a competition designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues.

The WAFU Cup of Nations, an initiative of new WAFU boss, Dr Amos Adamu was last held in 2004 in Cote d'Ivoire and is geared towards developing the game among West African

countries.

Full squad: Goalkeepers - Stephen Ahorlu (Heart of Lions), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars)

Defenders - Godfred Saka (Aduana Stars), Latif Mohammed (Great Olympics), Lee Addy (Chelsea), John Ashong (AshantiGold), Sabato Mohammed (Wa All Stars), Daniel Addo (King Faisal), Edward Kpodo (Tema Youth)

Midfielders - Jordan Opoku (Asante Kotoko), Malik Akowuah (Great Olympics), Edmund Owusu Ansah (Heart of Lions), Joseph Ato Bissah (Hasaacas), Abdul Bashiru (Eleven Wise), Daniel Acquaye (Heart of Lions)

Strikers - Abdul Aziz (Real Tamale United), Obed Owusu (Chelsea), Bismark Idan (Kessben).