Black Stars Wage War On Liberia

The Black Stars will need to beat their Liberian Counterparts on Sunday, January 28 to cushion themselves if they are to qualify for the Korea/Japan, 2002 world Cup tournament for the first time. But can they win?

The task appears herculean for the Black Stars and many Ghanaians seem to have regained confidence that with a new government in place the fortunes of the Black Stars may change.

Some sports analysts attribute the failure of the national team to qualify for the world cup to the former government's lack of support for sports. Basic requirements like sports kits, incentives and proper financial settlement which are not met are also the major hindrance preventing the boys from qualifying to the world cup.

However, with the emergence of the NPP government many Ghanaians seem to have rekindled some hope that the goodwill of the government will bring good results. Mail sports bring reactions from the public on the chances of Black Stars qualifying for the World cup under the new government.

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah of Joy Sports Center says "whether it is NPP or NDC government. it is all about planning and organisation. With good planning definitely there will be positive reward." He also thinks that football would change under Kufuor and Alhaji Aliu's administration because President Kufuor and his vice have managed football actively before and would do everything to improve the game .

According to Ampofo the former president didn't treat football like former President Mandela did - going to watch Bafana Bafana matches in the country's jerseys, giving them support and going to the changing room to talk to the players.

He urged the current government to desist from politicising sports, but provide the necessary logistics for the advancement of sports adding that the GFA must set up its timetable and do their homework well.

C. K. Akunnor, Black Stars captain has predicted that the encounter would be tough, but 'I expect the Blacks Stars to win', he told a local radio station. 'The Liberians are very confident after their first victory in a long time, their confidence is high. We should win Sunday's match'.

Eric Enchill, a sports reporter of the Daily Graphic expressed similar fears about the match. "It's going to be a tough match for us, more especially because of our loss to Congo DR. There is going to be a lot of pressure on us on Sunday. Most of our players are not yet in town and it's going to be very difficult for the coach to get time to blend them together." He predicted that the match would be tough but we should expect a win for the Stars. The score line to him would be 2-2. An aspiring footballer resident at Alajo, Emmanuel Laryea a.k.a. Kpoti, says he has confidence in the current government to stir Ghana to the world cup, and believes that the team will win on Sunday. "This government is capable of doing something for the Black Stars." He thinks Coach Jones C. Attuquayefio will use his Hearts of Oak winning formula to guide the national team to victory on Sunday.

Christian Abbew of Ghanaian Times sports desk predicts a 3-1 win in favour of the Black Stars. Other sports fans were of the view that irrespective of any political party in power, all Ghanaians need is victory. Micheal Ayensu, of Abeka Lapaz, said "we have a better chance of winning, to me I see Jones Attuquayefio as a confident coach who can make us smile on Sunday. We shall score the Liberians 2-1. Iam confident that with the new government in place we shall qualify."

Godwin Owusu Ayensu, also of Abeka, said "The Stars are very good, I think with the coach they can win on Sunday. Ghanaians should pray for them because their counterparts are also very good and anything can happen."