Kwasi Appiah begins hunt for players
Kwasi Appiah's first official assignment as the new Black Stars coach begins on Monday when he embarks on a major scouting mission of the two most successful clubs in the country - Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko - at the Accra Sports Stadium.
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Appiah begins his second stint with the Stars on May 1, the same day rivals Hearts and Kotoko clash in the first leg of the Ghana: 60 Years On President's Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Appiah gave the assurance that he would be at the game and take part in a curtain-raiser involving retired players of Hearts and Kotoko.
"It's always nice to have such an occasion when it involves Hearts and Kotoko. Even though people say we are rivals, for me, off the pitch we are very, very close... the most important thing is to have a great competition, a competitive game on the pitch," Appiah, a former Kotoko defender, said at the launch of the Ghana: 60 Years On President's Cup in Accra last Tuesday.
"And for me, this is a match all Ghanaians are going to celebrate and I believe every Ghanaian will come out to fully support and make the occasion a good one.
"I am 100 per cent sure it's not going to be an easy game for my team Kotoko, but we're going to give them a very tough match and show them that we are the real Porcupines. I entreat everyone to come and clear us on and I'm sure it will be fun to watch," Appiah added.
Appiah hit the ground running right after his arrival in the country last Friday (April 21) and was sighted at two games in an unofficial capacity.
"The Silent Killer" (as he was nicknamed by the Black Stars squad during his first stint) watched Liberty Professionals' MTN FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Inter Allies last Saturday at the El-Wak Stadium and also saw West Africa Football Academy extend their lead at the top of the Premier League standings after a 2-1 defeat of Liberty Professionals at the Sogakope Park last Wednesday.
Among the talents who will be hoping to catch Appiah's eye on Monday will be Hearts playmaker Winful Cobbinah, who has notched an impressive six assists and a goal to his name in six appearances, as well as midfield dynamo Malik Akowuah.
In the ranks of the Porcupine Warriors, striker Yakubu Mohammed will be hopeful of proving himself a useful goal-scoring option upfront for the Stars, while skipper Amos Frimpong will be eyeing a call-up on account of his rampaging runs from the right full back position.
Meanwhile, ahead of his unveiling as Black Stars coach by the GFA, Appiah paid courtesy calls on President Akufo-Addo and the Sports Minister, Isaac Asiamah.