Ghana arrive for South Africa training camp

The Ghana squad have arrived in South Africa to begin preparations for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The four-time African champions expect a full house by Monday as coach Goran Stevanovic gets set to prune his men to a final 23 for his first major tournament since he took over national team affairs from fellow Serbian Milovan Rajevac.

Black Stars assistant coach Kwesi Appiah and a 19-man squad arrived in South Africa on Saturday morning at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport and were then driven by coach to their base at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg.

“It’s great to be here to begin work. We hope to get the best out of our preparations,” Appiah told the FA website.

Head coach Stevanovic is also in camp after flying in from Europe. The team would be joined in the coming days by the remaining members to make up the 25-man squad.

Meanwhile, the leading goal scorer in the Ghana league Emmanuel Baffour is excited about the opportunity given to him as a local player to fight for a place in the squad.

Baffour, who has bagged 11 goals in 12 games, said he will give his best in camp to catch the eyes of the coaching staff.

“I am happy to be in the lead before my departure,” the 22-year-old said. “I would have loved to have signed off with maybe a goal but that is not possible. But I am happy with the opportunity to compete for a place in the Black Stars.”

“I am very happy (with this chance). Many players dream of this moment. But I have to make the best out of it.”

Baffour added: “The Black Stars is a big team and all the players would be playing for their places. I hope to do same.”

“I have to only focus, work hard and be confident. We would see what happens next.”