Le Roy Praises Kingson

New senior national team trainer, Claude Le Roy has praised Black Stars safest pairs of hands Richard ?Oleley? Kingson for his massive performance that helped the Stars to hold their Australian counterparts, the Socceroos to a 1-1 drawn game in an international friendly game played last week in London.

Kingson, who received a standing ovation from spectators, was substituted in the second half of the game after picking up an injury in the first half of the game, pulled some dramatic saves to the amazement of spectators present and the millions watching on television especially in the 11th, 37th and 53rd minute of the game.

According to the French trainer who was playing his third game with the Stars after his appointment last month, Kingson exhibited to the entire world that he was among the best in the world and a type that coaches can always rely on during crucial encounters.

In an exclusive telephone interview with Sports Guide after the international friendly, the soft-spoken and media shy goalie who also kept the post for Turkish giants Galatasaray in the 2002 UEFA Champions League, felt very good when the Stars coach came to him and said he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and that he has made him and the entire team proud with his dramatic saves that night.

The former Great Olympics goalkeeper who plays for Turkish side BB Ankaraspor also powered the Stars to the second round of the World Cup after qualifying to participate in the biggest soccer fiesta for the first time and was nicknamed ?The Ball Boy? by a section of African fans during this year?s World Cup in Germany due to his sharp reflexes and confidence in post.

Kingson, who was named by the World football Governing Body, FIFA as the third best goalkeeper in the World after Buffon and Ricardo of Italy and Portugal respectively in the 2006 World Cup after featuring in only four games reclaimed the number one spot of the senior national team pro the World Cup after performing gallantly in a series of international friendly games ahead of the World Cup.

He however called on the Ghana Football Association, GFA, to arrange for another encounter with former and current World Champions, Brazil and Italy since for now every member of the team is in his best of shape.

He also praised the performance of his younger brother Laryea Kingson for his outstanding performance in the Australian game.

According to goalkeeper Kingson, the GFA needs some applause for the organization of these games as it strengthens the unity among the playing body whenever they come together.

Ghana, who will not participate in the qualifiers ahead of the 2008 Cup of Nations after winning the bid to host the competition, will from now till January 2008 engage in series of friendly games to keep the team in good shape as they aspire to clinch the trophy for the fifth time.

The Stars have won three and drawn one out of their four games played after an impressive World Cup appearance.

They beat Togo 1-0, Japan 1-0, South Korea 3-1 and drew 1-1 with the Socceroos of Australia last Tuesday at the Queen?s Park in London.

However, information has it that the Stars are likely to play either Argentina or Spain in their next international friendly.