Stars get full house

Coach Kwasi Appiah received the biggest assurace yet about the determination of his players to go for glory at next month’s FIFA World Cup, with midfield ace Michael Essien to give of his best to help Ghana's World Cup ambitions in Brazil.

The AC Milan player, who was excused from last wek’s non-residential camping in Accra, joined his Black Stars teammates at their Arnhem camp in Holland last Monday and said he was ready for the hard work as Coach Appiah takes his provisional squad through their paces ahead of Saturday’s international friendly with The Netherlands in Rotterdam.

"I am delighted to be back with the Black Stars. I am coming here to give of my best for the country," Essien told the Ghana Football Association’s website (www.ghanafa.org).

The arrival yesterday of Sulley Muntari left the coach with a full house as he finalises his 23-man squad for Brazil.

A confident Appiah, who has been supervising the team’s training since last Sunday evening, told Ghana's Ambassador to Holland, Dr Tony Aidoo, during a visit by the envoy that he was hopeful his team could meet expectations when the tournament starts next month.

"We appreciate the fact that you have spent your time watching us train. We want to assure you that we will do our best to make Ghana proud," Appiah said.

Norway-based goalie, Adam Kwarasey, also rejoined the team at their base Sunday night, after he was allowed to return to his club Stromsgodset for a league match against Rosenborg, having been part of Appiah’s first phase of preparations in Accra.

Meanwhile, the team physician, Dr Adam Baba, has played down injury concerns over third-choice goalkeeper, Stephen Adams, after he suffered a cut on his lower lip in an aerial challenge with Asamoah Gyan during training last Monday.

The Aduana Stars shot-stopper had his lip plastered and returned to training immediately.

For Dr Baba, Ghanaians have little to worry as he expects  the cut to heal soon.

"It is nothing too serious that's why he was able to continue with training. He will have treatment to heal the cut," he told ghanafa.org.