Veep urges Stars to win big against Rwanda

Vice-President Aliu Mahama, has urged players and technical staff of the senior national team, Black Stars to endeavour to win by a huge score line to revive their qualification fortunes for the next African Cup of Nations.

The Vice-President was at the Legon training grounds to witness the last training session of the team before taking on the Rwandan counterparts at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

He said having been in the administration of football for a long time, "I know your needs in a run-up to a crucial match of such nature and government would do all it can to motivate you to ensure that you not only win but win handsomely.

The Vice-President urged the players to be very nationalistic in their approach to such matches and to put aside all grievances to play as a team with the aim of resurrecting the fortunes of "our one and only national team".

"Ghanaians cannot afford another defeat, which would have disastrous effect on the psychic of the team and the nation".

He admonished the players to be disciplined to their handlers, administrators and in training since without it they cannot achieve anything for themselves in their chosen profession.

"To be obedient does not take anything away from you as players, rather it adds to your fortunes and builds you into a better person". Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sport thanked the Vice President for taking time off his busy schedule to visit the team and expressed the hope that the team has heeded to his call to reflect in their performance.

He was optimistic of a comprehensive victory having watched the performance of the team in their last two friendly matches against Lesotho and Kumasi Asante Kotoko respectively. Augustine Ahinful, a member of the team assured the government delegation of their preparedness to pass the Rwandan test with flying colours but urged the fans to be patient when the going gets tough.

"Football is played for 90 minutes and a match can be won at any time within the stipulated time" Other members of the Vice-President's delegation were, Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Dr Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council, Mr Ben Koufie, Chairman of the Ghana Football Association and Mr Wilberforce Mfum, an ex-Black Stars player.

The team is currently made up 24 players made up of 14 locally based and 10 foreign-based players.