GRi Sports Ghana 09 - 01 - 2001
Ghana's Otto Addo to
miss Congo match
Ghana's Otto Addo
to miss Congo match
Accra (Greater Accra) 09 January
2001
Ghana would miss the services of
midfield dynamo Otto Addo for its January 14th African Cup 2002 slated
qualifier against Congo DR in Kinshasa as his German team Borrusia Dortmund,
failed to release him on time.
In an interview, Coach Jones
Attuquayefio said when he called Addo, he referred him to his Coach Mathias
Sammer, who initially promised the player's coming down would not be a problem.
"When I called later for the
confirmation, the coach informed that the player is currently in Spain with the
rest of the team preparing for the second half of the season and can only be
available for the world cup qualifier against Liberia in Accra ten days later.
He said although the player's
absence is a big blow to the team, thankfully, others have confirmed their
coming, adding, Sam Johnson has arrived for the match.
Also expected to arrive tonight is
Parma's Stephen Appiah. Emmanuel Duah would arrive on Tuesday, whiles Hans Adu
Sarpe has confirmed his coming.
On players like Mohammed Gargo and
Christian Gyan who have openly resigned from the national team, Jones said it
was important to identify what made them take that stance, address it and
enable them rejoin their mates.
As to why the number of players
assembled so far had reduced from seventeen to thirteen, Jones said his deputy
skipper Samuel Osei Kuffour and Charles Amoah had had to leave and get
clearance from their respective clubs before rejoining their colleagues.
"In the case of Augustine
Ahinful, he said he had asked permission to attend to some private matters and
would be in training tomorrow"
Also at his post for the first
time today, was deputy coach Kwasi Appiah who was appointed last Friday.
Meanwhile Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula,
chairman of Ghana football Association (GFA) has confirmed that the new
government has pledged its support for the Black Stars and requested for all
expenses involved which they have sent for approval.
"It is when we are given the
approval that the details of the Kinshasa trip, as departure and other details,
would be known," he added.
GRi…/