Ghana's national football team (Photo: Reuters)
The Ghana national team began its preparations on Monday for the game against Zambia in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for 6 September.
The Black Stars witnessed the return of stars Kevin-Prince Boateng, Michael Essien and Andre Ayew, after a long spell of absence, to take part in the upcoming qualifying game against Zambia.
The GFA welcomed Boateng's decision, saying that his return will "surely re-energise the Black Stars for our future challenges" in a statement by the association’s secretary-general, Emmanuel Gyimah.
On the other hand, the Zambia Football Association (ZFA) also believes it will benefit from the return of Ghana’s topliners who, the ZFA is convinced, will create confusion in the Ghanaian squad with their reintegration following such a long absence.
"The inclusion of these players will be to Zambia’s advantage as they have been out for long and will create confusion in the Ghana team," ZFA spokesman Erick Mwanza was quoted as saying on SuperSport.
Meanwhile, Ghana players revealed that they are eagerly anticipating a third successive World Cup appearance as they get ready for a crucial Group D tie against Zambia in the qualifiers.
Ghana is top of the Group D with 12 points, one ahead of Zambia. They need to avoid losing at home on 9 September in the final round of the group stage if they are to secure their position, then win the play-off match to reach the World Cup finals.
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