DUROSIMI THOMAS, ACCRA

Ghanaian veteran Anthony Yeboah wants to keep well clear of having anything to do with the national team, the Black Stars, for next month's African Nations Cup finals.

Yeboah, who turned down an invitation to play for Ghana at the 1998 Nations Cup in Burkina Faso has emphasised he does not wish to change his mind and join the team for the 2000 finals taking place in Ghana and Nigeria from January 22 to February 13.

A possible call up for the Germany-based striker by Ghana's Italian coach Giusseppe Dossena has been the main issue of debate in the Ghanaian corridors of power.

At the high point of speculations, Dossena said his doors are open to every player including Yeboah. The Hamburg striker, however, has vowed not to play in any further events, although he has not officially resigned from international duty.

"I thought the issue was long buried," Yeboah said. "I would have loved to serve my nation but this is a bad time," he said. "I feel quite weak now and not the same Yeboah about a decade ago. I strongly feel this is not the time to disrupt the present set up of players."

Yeboah refused to play for Ghana in November 1997 following differences with former coach Rinus Israel.

Yeboah and the three times African Footballer of the year Abedi Pele, have been the most prominent names in Ghanaian football in the past decade. Abedi Pele, the side's former skipper, retired from international football last year.

It will be the first time since 1992 that the two driving forces of Ghana's national team would be absent from a Nations Cup squad.