Old players encourage Stars

Sunyani, (B/A) Feb. 6, GNA - A Former Captain of the national football team, the Black Stars, Kwasi Owusu on Wednesday advised the Technical Bench of the Team to allow flexibility in tactics to enable the players to exhibit their talents.

He said this would not only enhance the Team's chances of scoring goals but would also enable the players to unearth and polish their God-given talents. Kwasi Owusu, known for his devastating manly forays during his playing days, which earned him the accolade "Powerhouse", gave the advice in an interview with the GNA Sports in Sunyani on the performance of the Black Stars at the ongoing Ghana 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament.

He explained; "football is made up of a number of qualities that need to be considered" and advised the current crop of players of Black Stars to promote togetherness in their camp and to exercise patience on the field of play in their attempt to score goals. "As a pioneer footballer I expect our boys, particularly the strikers, to take their time whenever they wanted to score a goal, otherwise all the chances created would go to waste", the prolific Striker said.

Nana Agyemang Gyau II, another former kingpin of the Black Stars, commended players of the current team for their commitment and dedication at the ongoing tournament.

The Traditional Ruler, known in his heydays as Agyeman Gyau, advised the Team to remain focused and to be disciplined to make the nation proud at the end of the tournament.

"It is the end that crowns a good work and remember that it is not over until it is over", Nana Agyemang Gyau II, who is the Atimpimhene of the Berekum Traditional Area, said.

The Chief implored the Black Stars not to forget the patriotic song composed by Dr Ephraim Amu: "Yen ara ya asase ni" and to work hard to achieve their aim and aspirations. Nana Gyau, who is Chairman of Retired National Footballers Association of Ghana, however declined to comment on the performance of the Stars' Technical Bench.

"It is necessary to remain silent on the technical aspect of the team at this time that the tournament has reached this crucial stage", he stated.