The reunited, fully healthy and high-spirited Black Stars will take the field for an important tuneup tonight in Germany versus Turkey. The Black Stars will have to perform strongly, and as a cohesive group, to shake the malaise that has hung over them seemingly throughout 2006. The good news is that the midfield, [...]

Reuters has short articles on Black Stars stalwarts captain Stephen Appiah, here, and Chelsea star Michael Essien, here. Nothing too insightful, and probably all very familiar to Stars loyalists, but good to see the hard workers getting their due
In related news, Essien has fully recovered from the minor toe injury that had all of [...]

In an interview with German SportBild, Ghana head technician Ratomir “Doya” Dujkovic echoed the sentiments of many rabid Ghana fans following this year’s early performance, noting the widespread call for his dismissal. Doya said that “Even the Government wanted me out of the job. 90% of the media called for my sacking. They wanted [...]

In the building frenzy for the World Cup, the giddy Ghana press has proclaimed that the Black Stars, entering their first World Cup despite four CAN championships and a solid history of individual performance, have shed the underachiever tag. Around here, we are a little wary of premature pronouncements. If, for example, the [...]

Camp has officially broken in Austria for the Stars, and all twenty three members of the Stars are at camp. This marks the first time since October that the full squad of the Stars has been at the same place and time, so it is somewhat of a momentous achievement. This “together time” [...]

Again to a club squad, and again ignominously. This time the twist, not even a club side with considerable playing experience, but a “select side” mixing four Austrian club teams. On Sunday, the Stars lost 1-0 to Austrian Lavanttal select side, a side composed of members of the Austrian SK St. Andra, [...]

Based largely on the poor performance of others, Ghana has shown a slight rise in standing in the latest FIFA rankings. In the final FIFA rankings before next month’s World Cup, Ghana has risen 2 positions to 48th in the World, surpassing Finland and declining Israel.

Apparently sponsors have agreed about something we have long known; among African nations Ghana truly is tops in attractiveness to sponsors.

Digesting the list of 23 (actually 28 counting the standby participants) selected by Doya last week, the surprises seem somewhat fewer and the obvious choices somewhat more. I am still a little pained by Philemon McCarthy’s ouster, but feel that the list is redeemed by the final banishment of Joetex Frimpong.
One name [...]

After weeks of speculation, Head Technician Ratomir “Doya” Dujkovic has officially named his 23 member World Cup Lineup. The listing is below. Each of these players will be detailed in the following days: