Soccer News of Friday, 22 August 2003

Source: GNA

Adjei recovers from shoulder injury

Accra, Aug 22, GNA---Sammy Adjei, Accra Hearts of Oak and National goalkeeper, has recovered from the shoulder injury, which caused his absence from action for the past three months. Keeper Adjei who resumed training with his club early this week told the GNA Sports that his doctors have given him "the go ahead" to start full scale training after they have conducted a final examination on him.

Adjei said he is now fully fit and ready to start playing actively adding that what is now left is to train hard to enable him to regain his position in Hearts as well as the national team.

The keeper who played a key role in the success of the club during the 2000 CAF Champions League success as well as key figure of the Black Stars in the 2002 nations cup in Mali said he is not worried about his absence in the national team.

Adjei whose name has been missing from the list of local players invited to the national team since Bukhard Ziese took over said "My worry is to gain speedy recovery from the injury and once this has been achieved I will work my way back into the national team by training harder" Adjei stated.

He noted that he has stepped up his training schedule with a lot of gym work and beach exercises and expressed the hope he will soon bounce back.

The keeper denied rumours in town that he is quitting Hearts to join premier league King Faisal.

According to Adjei, he has no intention of joining any other club saying "my commitment still remains with the champion club and how to help them retain the league title for the 2003 season".

He said the club is capable of winning the league for the seventh time following the one point lead between Hearts and the leaders Kotoko adding that the task, though a big one can be achieved.

He urge his fans to continue to offer prayers for him and expressed appreciation to Kumasi Chapter Nine and the Osu Supporters Union for their support during his time of pain.

Adjei sustained a shoulder injury during the third week premier league match between Hearts and Real Tamale United (RTU) at the Bolga Park. He recovered briefly and was on the team sheet of Hearts for the AS Aviacao match at the Accra Sports Stadium but was substituted before kick off when the injury resurfaced during warm up.