Soccer News of Thursday, 7 June 2012

Source: --

Appiah buoyed by SA camping progress

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has told his players they cannot afford to relax following their 'successful' training camp in South Africa.

The Black Stars leave Johannesburg on Thursday morning for Zambia where they will play the Chipolopolo in their 2014 World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

Appiah led the side for their five-day training camp ahead of Saturday's game and he is delighted over the response of the players during the exercise.

The former international claims the spirit among the squad is strong, and believes the five days spent together at the training camp has been invaluable.

"We wanted to feel like a big family when we came here. I am happy that this camping here in South Africa has ignited that feeling among the players," Appiah told www.ghanafa.org at the end of the camping in South Africa.

"I think we are now a big family and that is very satisfying.

"I am happy that the training camp was successful and we cannot afford to relax just because we beat Lesotho 7-0.

"Zambia will be tough and I want to assure the fans that we will be ready for the task ahead."

The Black Stars will face the Chipolopolo in Ndola and Appiah thinks their training camp has put them in the right shape for the game.

Ghana are currently top of Group D after their emphatic 7-0 win over Lesotho in their opening game in the group.

Zambia, the African champions, lost 2-0 to Sudan in the group's other game.