Starlets promise victory over Ethiopia

Winneba, (C/R) Dec 27, GNA - The Black Starlets have promised Ghanaians that they would smash Ethiopia in their African Under 17 championship qualifiers in January next year and go on to win the title in Gambia.

The pledge was made by both the technical team and the playing body when a powerful ministerial delegation visited the team at their Winneba Sports College camp on Boxing Day.

The government delegation included Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Minister of State in charge of Education, Youth (MEYS) and Sports, Mr Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of the sector, Mr Kwasi Nyantekyi, vice chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Dr Henry Pufer, board chairman of the National Sport Council (NSC.)

Others were Dr Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, Director of Sports Development at MEYS, Mr Kofi Nsiah, General Secretary of the GFA, Mr Fred Crentsil, a member of the Starlets management board and Mr Ratomir Dujkovic, coach of the Black Stars.

Interacting with the visitors, David Duncan, head coach of the Starlets said the team had struck a winning formula culminating in the home and away victories recorded over Tunisia and there was no turning back.

He said the boys were committed and hungry to succeed and the match against Ethiopia would be another opportunity for them to meet the aspirations of Ghanaians.

The coach asked the delegation to reciprocate the zeal and sacrifice of the players by fulfilling their obligations to the players promptly, adding that some of them play important parts in the sustenance of members of their families.

In his speech, Emmanuel Nana Ansong, captain of the team thanked the government and the football controlling body for the support given to them so far and pledged the total commitment of the team. He said they were determined to emulate their predecessors who won the World Under 17 Championship in 1991 and 1995 to complete a treble for Ghana.

The captain called for prayers from Ghanaians in their bid to achieve the ultimate.

Nana Bonsu, first choice goalkeeper of the team summed up the high level of commitment among the boys in camp when he said, "we love Ghana and will do everything to put Ghana's name of the world map.

"We shall go to Ethiopia and win and conquer Africa in Gambia before we launch an assault on the world," he added.