Keep Hope Alive, Nyantakyi Pleads

The president of the Ghana Football Association(GFA) Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, has urged fans of the national soccer side, the Black Stars to remain hopeful in the team despite their September 11 heavy loss.

He stated that the shipwreck notwithstanding, the team needs the total support of Ghanaians to make it big in their quest for honours in future games especially as they prepare to host Africa next January.

"We have accepted the loss in good faith and putting formidable structure in place to make sure the Arabia night debacle does not happen again," he declared in an interview.

Mr. Nyantakyi, who was with the team in their two international friendlies attributed the heavy loss to fatigue which took the better part of the boys, having played with the Atlas Lions of Morocco three days earlier in France.

He admonished saying, "this is the time the team needs our unflinching support to go the extra mile in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, we should cease crying over spilt milk and forge ahead in our hanker to host and win the 26th edition of Africa's biggest soccer fiesta."

"The boys themselves are aware of the emotional trauma they subjected the nation to following the defeat and have purposed to work harder in future assignments to restore their invincibility aura," he added.

According to the FA president, the team suffered huge humiliation prior to the Germany World Cup showpiece in Egypt but with tenacity of purpose, they excelled in their maiden World Cup appearance.

For Mr Nyantakyi, the loss has served as a wake up call and his outfit and all stakeholders are putting pieces together to ensure that the team bounces back in no time.

The Stars suffered 0-5 to their Saudi Arabia counterparts in Saudi six days ago as part of the team's preparation for Ghana 2008.

The Arabian Night debacle, the team's heaviest defeats in recent years has generated heated arguments among lovers of soccer who are questioning the team's readiness for CAN 2008.

The GFA has consequently issued a statement signed by its scribe Mr Kofi Nsia apologizing to the entire football fraternity for the shocking results.