10 Axed From Local Black Stars Camp

Ten players of Ghana's local Black Stars preparing for the preliminary round qualifier against Niger in the new African Nations Championship (CHAN) have been sacked. Technical head of the team, Akwasi Appiah dismissed the players after they failed to make the grade at the team's training camp. The affected players include goalkeeper Laud Quartey of Ghana's champions Hearts of Oak, Liberty Professional's trio of Ashmond Asamoah, Kennedy Korlie and Kassinu Ghandi. Others include Osei Boateng (King Faisal), Godwin Osei Bonsu (Zaytuna FC) and Nasiru Gafaru (All Stars). The rest are Micheal Annan of Great Olympics and Sammy Nzemaba of Real Sportive. The Black Stars, drawn in Zone West B play Niger on March 30 at the newly constructed 20,000 all-seater capacity stadium in Tamale before travelling to Niamey in two weeks time for the reverse fixture. The Africa Nations Championships is a new tournament designed by CAF for only home-based players of its member countries and it will be hosted by Ivory Coast from February 22 till March 8, 2009. Ghanasoccernet