Big package for Black Satellites

Accra, Sept. 28, GNA - Each member of the national under-21 Soccer team the Black Satellites will receive a winning bonus of 1,000 dollars if they are able beat Cote d' Ivoire in the first leg of their qualifying game for the Africa Youth Championship, in Benin next year. The team, which was assembled in May this year, has so far played 23 matches friendly matches winning 20, drawing two and losing one game, are scheduled to take on their Ivorian counterparts on Friday October 1, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Mr Rashid Bawa Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, announced the package after a training session of the team on Tuesday morning. He said the package from President John Agyekum Kuffour was to encourage them to qualify for the tournament next year.

The Minister called on the players to go all out to ensure a "massive victory" on Friday, since the President had indicated his desire to monitor minute-by-minute report of the match.

Mr Bawa advised the players to take the match serious since Cote d' Ivoire was also a powerful force in African soccer at the moment. Michael Helegbe, a member of the team, expressed their appreciation to the President and the Minister for the package.

He said members of the team were focused and ready to battle for the nation.

Helegbe, called on all soccer-loving fans to fill the stands at the Accra Sports stadium to cheer them on to victory.