GFA boss backs selection procedure for Black Stars

Accra, Dec. 28, GNA - Kwasi Nyantakyie, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has backed the selection procedure for the senior national team, the Black Stars ahead of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola next month.

According to the FA president, the selection procedure adopted by coach Milovan Rajevic would introduce more commitment into the national team, which would also ensure maximum delivery at the competition.

The FA president made these remarks at a farewell party for the Black Stars in Accra, organised by Goldfield Ghana Limited, headline sponsors of the senior national team, before their departure to South Africa for pre tournament camping.

Coach Rajevic last week released the list of 23 players for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations without key player Sulley Muntari and other senior players and has come under criticisms from certain quarters.

Nyatakyi said, the selection procedure would also afford young and upcoming players the opportunity to have the needed international exposure for future tournaments and make name for themselves as well.

He noted that Ghana's team for the tournament is a formidable one with a lot of young and talented players, who are ready to go the extra mile for the cause of the nation.

The FA president said though the aspiration of the team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, seem to have overshadowed the January tournament, the Stars are ready to win the Cup in Angola.

"Winning the cup in Angola will make for the disappointment in Egypt and Ghana in 2006 and 2010 respectively, though our group seemed to be a very tough one.

"We are going to Angola to win the cup to make up for our failures in the last two tournaments and prepare adequately for the World Cup as well". He stated.

Nyantakyi expressed appreciation to Goldfield Ghana Limited for their unflinching support in the past years, which he said had given the team the needed financial backing to excel.

Coach Rajevic said the nation had chalked significant successes in 2009 by winning the Africa and World Under-20 tournaments, whilst the local Black Stars picked silver at the first edition of Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Cote d' Ivoire.

He said 2010 would be a challenging one for the nation but noted that success would be on their part with the support of the entire nation.

Tony Aubyn, Head of Corporate Affairs, Goldfields Ghana Limited said his outfit is committed to the cause of the Black Stars and provide them with the necessary support to succeed.

He said Ghana had for the past years failed to win the Nations Cup and expressed the hope that 2010 would be a glorious year for the team.