SWAG urges Stars to raise performance

Accra, Feb 3, GNA - The Sport Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has called on the senior national team to inject a high sense of urgency in their game as they battle Tunisia in the quarter finals of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday at the Franceville Stadium, Gabon.

Whilst congratulating the team on coming out as winners of Group D, SWAG noted that the team played below its potential, raising doubts over their championship aspirations as hot favourites in the competition, a statement from the secretariat noted.

It said there was the need for the playing body to up their performance in the next game against Tunisia, tomorrow by injecting a high sense of urgency in their play, taking into consideration the fact that the competition had reached the knock stage.

"Nothing but victory can guarantee us a safe berth in the semi-final stage.

“Though SWAG appreciates the nature of the keen competition posed by countries in the group matches, there is a popular opinion that the output of the playing body left much to be desired.

“In keen competitions like this, participating countries need nothing more than optimum performance to realize their goals and the Black Stars are no exception, hence the need for them to go for the kill”, the state noted.

It added that though Ghana has historically enjoyed dominance over the Tunisians, it is not automatic that the team will scale over them this time around. Only hard work, commitment, dedication and, above all, an improved performance throughout the entire duration of the game can guarantee the country victory.

Ghana secured qualification to the next stage of the competition as the group winners after a nerve-wracking one-all draw game with Guinea in the last group game which saw them top the group with seven points.

The Stars will need nothing but victory against Tunisia to keep their dreams of winning the trophy after a 30-year wait on course.