GERMANY 2006 World Cup revela-tion, Black Stars of Ghana, will capture the cynosure of all eyes as they participate in their first invitational tournament after the spectacular showing at the June Mundial.
The four-nation tournament, tentatively slated for September 2007 in Austria, also includes the host nation, Switzerland and South American football-crazy country ? Colombia.
The decision to include the Black Stars in the special tourney was certainly informed by the plucky form demonstrated in the World Cup, and the subsequent victories it chalked in recent friendlies.
However, the Black Stars could miss out in the Austria tournament if they fail to glitter against the host nation in a special friendly on March 24 in the city of Graz.
This was disclosed to the Times Sports yesterday by the vice chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr Fred Pappoe.
"We have been made to believe that our invitation to the four-nation tournament hangs on our performance against Austria ahead of the event, and it?s not too clear whether they would still include us in their scheme of things, if we should slump or give them a good drubbing," Mr Pappoe wondered.
He said the Stars are in a class of their own and will remain ruthless in whatever engagement they find themselves in.
"Heartily, the Stars are beginning to regard defeat as a taboo and always want to work assiduously to get the result that would make all Ghanaians happy.
"They have a tremendous character ? a character that makes them wanting to die out of exhaustion rather than give up in the face of pressure," the GFA vice-chairman said of the senior national team, adding "that?s a huge positive signal."
Indeed, next year will really be a busy season for the Stars as they prepare towards the 2008 Nations Cup which Ghana is hosting.
Beginning from February 7, lies an uncompromising friendly with Nigeria?s Super Eagles in London, which deal the FA vice-chairman hinted is almost sealed; there is also a March 24 tie with Austria; a June 2 date with Switzerland, before a few friendlies against some formidable African sides in Ghana, in the month of October.
The Stars are expected to round up preparations in November with one of the best sides in world football after which they plunge straight to camp.
Mr Pappoe was optimistic about the chances of the Stars at the 2008 Nations Cup, but declined to make any predictions.
"All I can say is that this present Black Stars are a group of high-performing players who are hungry to carve a niche for themselves.
"What we can do now is to give them our optimum backing and hope they deliver the goods," the FA vice-chairman asserted.
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