Soccer News of Wednesday, 23 June 2004

Source: .

Stephen Appiah To Miss Maputo Trip

Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah would be missing out of Ghana's international friendly match against the Mambas of Mozambique on Friday.

The Juventus midfielder is reported to have been given some days off after picking up some knocks during Sunday?s world cup game against South Africa at the Kumasi Sports Stadium.

Appiah, who got two of Ghana?s goals on Sunday, is however expected to feature in the game against the Cranes of Uganda on July 3 in Kampala.

Black Stars assistant coach, Silas Tetteh leaves on Wednesday with foreign-based players to join the rest of the team who left on Monday for Maputo.

The game against the Mambas of Mozambique though is to celebrate the host?s independence celebrations forms part of Ghana?s preparations ahead of the July 3 world cup qualifying game against Uganda.

Players expected to leave Accra Wednesday are Sulley Muntari, Baffour Gyan, Emmanuel Duah, Addoquaye Pappoe, John Painstil, John Mensah, Kwadwo Poku, Kofi Amponsah, Lawrence Aidoo, Michael Essien, Samuel Osei Kuffour and Ibrahim Tanko.

Ten players of the squad led by coach Mariano Barreto left Accra Monday for the training tour which is expected to help the team polish up ahead of the Uganda game next weekend.

The foreign legion were allowed a few days respite before joining the team.