Nervy win soothes Stars' confidence

By Veronica Commey, (GNA Special Correspondent in Gabon, Courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Franceville, Jan. 29, GNA- Coach Goran Stevanovic says the Black Stars nervy win over the Malian Eagles has soothed the team's confidence in their journey for the ultimate gold (Cup). The Stars required a 2-0 win to effectively quality to the last eight stage of the biannual fiesta that binds Africa's best 16 with two individual efforts from Asamoah Gyan and Andre 'Dede' Ayew. The Serb told GNA Sports after the game in Franceville, that 'I salute my players for this win. It was a very nervous game because both team's knew the importance of the game. "No one wanted to lose because a win was what was going to take us further. This win is very important because it has added some confidence to the team". Stevanovic has promised Ghana a fifth Nations Cup trophy after a 30- year wait and has even hinted to walk if that dream did not materialise. Though the team appeared ordinary in the first half, the coach insisted he was satisfied with the performance of his charges who required two goals in the second half to march on to the next stage of the tournament. 'The first half was very difficult and I"m very satisfied with how the team played. I identified a few technical issues during the half and so I made some tactical decisions during the half time break and the difference was clear after that.' Ghana sit top of Group D on six points and next play Guinea who are on three points just like Mali in the final group duels on Wednesday.