No Panic Over Stars Injuries � Kwasi Appiah Declares

The tall injury list that has rocked the Black Stars ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff against Egypt may look frightening, but head coach Kwasi Appiah is calming nerves, insisting there is no need to panic. Appiah�s first choice defenders during the qualifiers, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye and Isaac Vorsah, have been knocked out through injuries, while Harrison Afful is suspended for the game, with the mantle now falling on the likes of Jerry Akaminko, Rashid Sumaila, Daniel Opare, Samuel Inkoom and Mohammed Awal to man Ghana�s rear when they face the Pharaohs in the first leg match at the Baba Yara Stadium. The injury situation has not affected just the team�s most experienced defenders, but also midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng who is running against time to regain full fitness after sustaining a recurrent injury while playing for his German side Schalke in a Bundesliga match against FC Augsburg last Saturday. It was the same injury which prevented him for making his long-awaited comeback against Zambia in Kumasi last month. Even as he admits the injury situation is unnerving, Coach Appiah insists the players in camp will live up to the task because they are all professionals who very well understand the stakes are high. �Every coach should be worried about such a situation at such a crucial time, but nothing can be done about the injuries. Rather, we have to look for worthy replacements with similar qualities to step up to the plate. �Experience is something that you cannot gain overnight that�s why I consider the absence of John Boye, Jonathan Mensah and Isaac Vorsah as unfortunate but there are first time moments and I hope those called in as replacements will have that experience,� he told the Graphic Sports. �This is why we have tried as much as possible to make every position very competitive. We have not completely achieved that, but I think every player is determined to play his part to get Ghana to Brazil 2014.� Asked if there were going to be dramatic changes in his game plan for next Tuesday�s battle in Kumasi, Appiah, in his typical calm composure would rather keep his cards close to his chest. �I don�t think I want to discuss my game plan as we are aware that eyes are closely watching and ears eagerly listening. All I can say is that I know exactly how my team is going to look like � a blend of experience and youth who can work 200 per cent to counter the fast and physical Egyptians,� said Appiah who took his players through their paces in the first training session yesterday afternoon. As Appiah began preparation yesterday, his Egyptian counterpart, Bob Bradley named his final list of 26 players for the Kumasi tie, keeping faith with his experienced stars, including Mohamed Aboutrika. The team is dominated by players of reigning African champions Al Ahly and includes seven foreign-based stars. The list has: Goalkeepers: Ahmed Al Shennawi (Al Masry), Sherif Ekrami (Al Ahli), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili) Defenders: Mohamed Abdulshafi (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City), Hazem Emam (Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad, Mohamed Naguib, Rami Rabiea, Ahmed Shedid (all Al Ahli) Midfielders: Mohamed Aboutrika, Abdullah Al Saied (both Al Ahli), Amr Al-Sulaya (Ismaili), Hossam Ashour (Al Ahli), Ahmed Eid (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Basel), Hossam Ghaly (Lierse), Mahmoud Kahraba (Luzern), Mahmoud Shikabala (Zamalek), Walid Soliman (Al Ahli) Forwards: Ahmed Hassan (Rio Ave, Portugal), Mohamed Nagui (Hull City), Mohamed Salah (Basel), Amr Zaki (Al Salmiya)