Stars coach Kwasi Appiah has described the omission of the trio from his final squad as a necessary action that had to be done.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after naming his final 23 men for the World Cup, Appiah said, �leaving out injured Jerry Akaminko, young striker David Accam and defender, Jeffrey Schlupp was a difficult task and I had to talk to the players before sending them away.�
�It is never a pleasant thing to tell a player that he is not part of a final team for a tournament. I personally find it difficult and last Sunday was no different,� Coach Appiah said.
He said the three players did their best and believed they would be part of the Stars� future assignment.
�They did very well as it was the first time both Schlupp and Accam had spent a lengthy time with the team. I believe they still have a future and will soon return to the team for future assignments,� he stated.
Asked if it would have been too much to send the trio along for the exposure and experience, Coach Appiah said: �Ideally that would be a good thing, but psychologically, it�s not a good idea. Taking them along when officially they have no role to play in the team would not serve them any good.�
�Already, they are disappointed and must be left alone to get over that. For some, coming along could worsen their situation and that could also be a distraction for the team. That will not be a good idea, so they have already been sent home,� he contended.
While Schlupp and Accam have returned home, Akaminko was taken along to the USA to undergo surgery on the injury to his ankle which he sustained during last Saturday�s international friendly against The Netherlands.
The Stars, who are currently in a training camp in Miami, are preparing for their final warm-up match against South Korea on June 9.
Source: Daily Graphic
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