Appiah relieved as Ghana squad assembles ahead of World Cup warm-up
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah can finally breathe a sigh of relief as his full 26-man squad is now in place ahead of the Black Stars’ preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Midfielder Sulley Muntari was the last to report to camp, joining his teammates on Tuesday in Arnhem, Netherlands. The AC Milan star had been granted additional time to resolve personal matters following Ghana’s initial mini-camp in Accra.
Muntari’s arrival follows that of Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Essien, both of whom also missed the opening phase of training in Ghana but have now linked up with the rest of the squad in Europe.
With all players now present, Appiah is expected to intensify preparations ahead of Ghana’s warm-up fixture against the Netherlands on 31 May. The friendly will serve as a key test for the team before they head to Brazil.
The Black Stars face a challenging group at the World Cup, drawn alongside Germany, Portugal, and the United States — three teams with strong World Cup pedigree. Ghana will be hoping to replicate or surpass their quarter-final run in 2010, as they prepare for what promises to be another demanding campaign on the global stage.
