Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif has said government is committed to ensuring that the Black Stars qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Black Stars are seeking a fourth appearance at World Cup after failing to qualify for the last edition staged in Russia three years ago.
Before missing out on Russia, they had made the tournament on three consecutive occasions from 2006. In 2010, they came mightly close to becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals in South Africa.
Charles Akonnor’s men begin their qualification campaign for the 2022 tournament on Friday, September 3 when they host Ethiopia. The team held their first training on Tuesday evening at the Cape Coast Stadium following their arrival earlier in the day.
Speaking to the players before their training, Mustapha Ussif charged the players to book their place in Qatar.
“I bring you greetings from H.E President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, the man who himself is a sports enthusiast. Everybody knows that he likes football and as you embarking on this journey, a journey that every single Ghanaian is looking forward to’’ the Yabaga-Kubore law maker said.
‘’The campaign that you about to launch – he said I should bring his goodwill message and best wishes to you before you embark on this journey and that is why I am here to deliver that message. You can’t send the Army to the battle without ammunition – they will be defeated, so the campaign we are going to embark on, on the Government side we are going to ensure that everything is done so that you will have a very fruitful campaign.
‘’We know, we cherish each and every one of you, to have the opportunity of wearing the colours of the Black Stars is a pride and we know that the calibre of people sitting I this room – going to represent us both in the World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON, we have no doubt at all that we going to perform and deliver and lift the flag of Ghana very high.
‘’Anytime the Black Stars qualifies and participates in the World Cup the whole continent looks up to Ghana. You can talk of what happened in Germany and South Africa so we have rich history when it comes to the World Cup.
‘’What you have done in the past have left a big hole for you come and fill and I have no doubt you are going to deliver.
‘’So I am here to deliver a short message and the message to assure you that we totally cherish you. Whatever that Government is going to do to ensure that this campaign becomes successful’’ Mustapha Ussif (Hon.) added.
After Ethiopia, Black Stars will travel to Johannesburg to face South Africa on September 6
Source: 3news.com