His absence means there is only one locally-based player in the squad, his fellow keeper, Daniel Yeboah, of ASEC Mimosas.

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On a recent visit, each secluded semicircular booth enclosed a clutch of starlets, up-and-coming-models, or shaggy-haired indie rockers talking business over multiple mimosas.

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Striker Nafiu Iddrisu of Ivorian side Asec Mimosas as well home-based players Daniel Addo, Addoquaye Addo and Kwadwo Asamoah were named in the squad.

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At apartments across New York City, there were budding chefs offering options like Japanese pub grub, Russian comfort fare, South Asian fusion and a Sunday brunch with pancakes and mimosas.

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The golds and burnt oranges in "Bouquet of Mimosas, " meanwhile, cast a warm, soft glow that illuminates the cavernous, usually dead space of the lower level of the Met's Robert Lehman Wing.

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There is also no place for the stars of Asec Mimosas' thrilling 2006 African Champions League campaign, Didier Ya Konan and Bakary Soro, even though both moved to European clubs in the transfer window.

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