"Ultimate goal remains our objective" - Nyantakyi

Accra, April 30, GNA - President of the Ghana Football Association, (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi, has declared that the ultimate of annexing the title was the target and goal for the Black Stars at the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

No African team has annexed the biggest prize in world football since its inception in 1930, but the GFA boss has stated categorically that the Black Stars are poised to achieve that feat.

Nyantakyi, who disclosed this at a joint press conference organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the GFA on Friday, said "the Stars are definitely not going to add to the numbers."

He said the team's ambition on their successive participation at the Mundial has direct relationship on the psyche of Ghanaians, of whom 2,600 of fans and supporters will be in South Africa to cheer on the team. "We are not going to South Africa just to play football and be counted."

Nyantakyi's confidence emanates from the experience gained from the Stars maiden participation four years ago in Germany, where the team was the only African team to advance past the group stage. "We have gained enough experience and are poised to go far. We are therefore going for the ultimate."

The President of the FA added that the Stars has the materials to achieve that feat, citing Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari as World-class players among others.

On the issue of scouts, Nyantakyi observed that his outfit has contracted some technical brains who are spying on the Stars opponents namely Australia, Germany and Serbia. Acknowledging the role of the scouts during the Stars maiden campaign, he said the scouts are working behind the scenes and that their identities will be unveiled at the appropriate time.

Ms Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports said her outfit is working in collaboration with the World Cup Committee on the selection of fans to cheer on the team. She reiterated that the 2,600-support team will have a representation of the various groups and organisations from throughout the country.