Local Organising Committee inspect African Nations Cup Venues

Two more CAN 2008 match venues would be tested beginning this weekend by premiership sides as the Local Organising Committee rounds up on preparations for the tournament.
The newly built 20,000 capacity all-sitter Tamale Stadium would host one the eight premiership games on match-day-9 when home team, Real Tamale United host Kessben FC on Sunday.
The testing of the Essipon Stadium in Sekondi, would be done a week later, on January 13, when Hasaacas play Real Sportive on match-day-10. The new ground is also a 20,000 capacity all-sitter stadium.
A statement by Kwaku Ampim-Darko, Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical Duties at the Ghana Football Association (GFA), explains that the decision to relocate the matches from the Kaladan Park and Gyandu Stadium to the newly built grounds is to afford the National Sports Council authorities the opportunity to test the facilities at the new stadium in readiness for the African Cup of Nations.
In Sekondi, the Essipong Stadium would host the group matches of teams in Group B: Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Benin for the African Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Ghana coach, Claude Le Roy has whittled down his 40-man squad to 27 as he embarks on the final phase of preparations for the African Cup of Nations.
Claude Le Roy has included Black Stars captain, Stephen Appiah in his list to raise the playing numbers to 28 for a pre-African Cup of Nations training camp of the United Arab Emirates this week.
Also to be included in the squad is Laryea Kingston, another player just like Appiah who is recuperating from injury, though the Fenerbahce player would be there in a different capacity.
Stephen Appiah has struggled with injury after suffering from complications to his knee but Claude Le Roy says he still has a role for his captain.
The team would begin preparations for the African Cup of Nations on Thursday at their training camp.
Fifteen of the players would be fighting for their first African Cup of Nations appearance as Claude Le Roy prepares to submit his final squad of 23 for the tournament by the January 10 deadline.
Ghana would kick off the tournament on January 20 at the Ohene Djan Stadium with an opening Group A game against Guinea.