Medal zone a must for Stars-Lee Addy

By: Nana Asiedu Kwabena Sarpong

JOHANNESBURG -Black Stars defender, Lee Addy has said that there is no way the Black Stars will not finish among the last four of the 2010 World Cup as they prepare to face Uruguay on Friday in their crucial quarter-final encounter.

Addy who cemented his position in the Black Star team after an impressive outing in his maiden Orange Africa Cup of Nations in Angola last January believes that Black Stars has what it takes to reach the finals of the competition on July 13, 2010.

"Considering Ghana having a youthful side for a tournament like this(World Cup) and always progressing game after game which is a mark of a good team I don't see why we cannot make it to the last four" he said

" Its always a blessing to have players like Appiah, Kingson, Mensah, Paintsil, Muntari and others around you who give directions and inspire we the young ones on how to approach games at this stage(World Cup), something that has brought has this far" he added.

Just like many young players, Addy, who has won the Best Defender Award twice in the Ghanaian league, believes his participation at the Angola Nations Cup has really exposed him to a competition such as the World Cup as he said in an interview.

"The experience at the Africa Cup of Nations has helped me a lot. It was a great experience for me as a young player."

According to Addy, the current support being enjoyed by the team from African fans in its self alone is a huge motivation to see the team record victory against Uruguay on Friday to book a place in the last four.

"We(Black Stars) are the sole eye of the continent in the competition now and the several messages and supports that keep coming in alone is a huge motivation to see us win on Friday" he said.

"Now everybody is counting on us(Ghana) to make Africa proud by winning the trophy" Addy.

Both Addy and Jonathan Mensah got the nod to start for the Stars in their 1-1 draw against Australia after both deputy skipper John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah were ruled out due to injury.

He has seen then been a regular sub to Coach Milovan Rajevac, who is currently enjoying media praise after qualifying Ghana to the quarter-finals.

Information gathered reveals Addy being haunted by several European clubs though he refuses to disclose whether being a target of foreign clubs.

Back home in Ghana, Lee Addy plays with Premier League side, Bechem Chelsea, where he captians the team.

By: Nana Asiedu Kwabena Sarpong