THE FIRST batch of a 30-man Black Stars team will leave for France on Saturday May 22, 2010 to begin preparations for the FIFA World Cup.

The second batch of the team, mainly European based players, will travel to the Black Stars training base the following day to join their counterparts.

The Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Fred Pappoe made the announcement in an interview with Kessben FM in Kumasi on Monday.

He said Ghana stand a good chance of making a huge impact in the World Cup, which takes place on the African continent for the first time.

On bonuses for players, Mr. Pappoe said the FA would meet with the leadership of the Black Stars players to discuss it before the tournament starts. He indicated that the inclusion of Portsmouth star Kevin Prince Boateng would impact positively on the team's showing in the toughest football tournament in the world which starts next month in South Africa.