The two-week tournament is designed exclusively for players who ply their trade in their native countries.
While hosts Ivory Coast prepare to take on Zambia in the opening game of the competition in Abidjan, Ghana, which is based in Bouake, have stepped up gear for their clash against Zimbabwe on Monday. Even though the Black Stars reside at the President Hotel in the Ivorian capital of Yamossoukro, they will play their matches 45 minutes away in Bouake.
Ghana arrived in the country on Friday night by a chartered flight from Sekondi, where they held their pre-tournament camp.
They trained for the first time on Saturday and all the players are in good health ahead of the clash against the Zebras.
“The players are all fine and there are no injury concerns for coach Milovan Rajevac,” head of Black Stars management committee Fred Pappoe told Kickoffghana.
“We are maintaining the good spirit in the camp and with the support of Ghanaians living in the Ivory Coast we should be fine.”
Busloads of Black Stars supporter are expected to arrive in Yamossoukro on Sunday night, while Ghanaians in other parts of Ivory Coast will also arrive in Bouake on Monday to support the Black Stars.
Ghana’s opponent on Monday, Zimbabwe, finally managed to land in the Ivory Coast for the tournament after players threatened to boycott the tournament.
The Zebras initially threatened to boycott the trip because of a dispute over allowances and appearance fees.
The players wanted guarantees from the government that their bonuses would be paid after the cash-strapped federation said it could not afford to pay the players.
But a last-minute intervention by the government convinced the players to travel three days before they face the Black Stars in their opening game.
