Soccer News of Monday, 4 April 2005

Source: GNA

Faisal departs on Wednesday

Accra, April 4, GNA - Kumasi King Faisal, Ghana's sole survivor in the 2005 continental tournament would on Wednesday, April 6, leave the shores of the country for Nigeria, to engage Bendel Insurance in the first leg of the third round of the Confederation Cup competition. According to officials of the team, the Club would leave with 18 players minus their influential midfielder, Abubakari Yahuza, who is yet to recover from an injury he sustained whilst in the camp of the senior national team.

An official of the Club told the GNA Sports in an interview on Monday that Eric Gawu, the key striker of the team would be among the 18-man squad for the trip, but might not feature in the game because he only resumed full-scale training on Monday morning following an injury he sustained recently.

Speaking to the GNA Sports, coach Francis Oti-Akenten said he is hoping to have the services of Gawu for at least 45 minutes since his presence can make a huge impact on the performance of the team. He, however, noted that provisions have been made to replace Yahuza's absence and expressed the hope that the team would be able to record a comfortable result in Nigeria.

Coach Oti-Akenten noted that they have a lot of respect for the Nigerian team because it is one of the oldest teams in the West African sub-region and possessed enough experience on the continental scene. "Based on this, I foresee us going through a difficult time in Nigeria, but I believe we can survive any scare".

The coach urged all to render their support to the team spiritually in order for them to lift the national flag high.

Faisal who failed to advance to the group stages of the same competition last year would still have a match at hand when they are able to eliminate Nigeria before advancing to the league stages of the event.