Stars will be ready for Ghana 2008 - Pappoe

Accra, Sept 28, GNA - Fred Pappoe, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has said the senior national team, the Black Stars will be more than ready for the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for January 20-February 10 next year.

Speaking at a Press Conference in Accra on Friday, Pappoe said his conviction is based on the fact that even though the team was not participating in the on-going qualifiers it would engage in three or four matches than other competitors to put them in a better stead. This, he said will put the players in a better shape than other opponents, hence his belief that the Stars will be up to the task during the Nations Cup.

Pappoe who doubles as the Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee said that the Association has arranged three more friendly matches for the team aside the four-nation tournament to be hosted in November.

He added that a two weeks planned camping outside the country before the start of the continental fiesta will further boost preparations and enhanced the team chances of winning the competition.

"We will not just be ready but we will deliver the trophy to Ghanaians come February".

"We appreciate the magnitude of work at hand and we will not relent on our efforts in attainting our target of winning the trophy." He said. Pappoe said they are prepared to go the extra mile to achieve the much-needed success and will not give room for complacency.

The Vice President, however, indicated that the exercise would require enough capital and funding and his outfit would make details of the expected expenditure available to the public to solicit their support.

He revealed that the four-nation tourney fixed for November 17-21 would be used to publicise the tournament and draw the interest of the public t the exploits of the Stars to succeed.