GFA boss give thumbs up to debutants

(From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Luanda, Angola, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Luanda, Angola, Jan. 22, GNA - Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has expressed satisfaction with the performance of some players who were making their debut for the senior national team, the Black Stars at the 27th Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Speaking to the GNA Sports in an interview at Launda, Nyantakyi stated that the new guys have indeed proven that they are ripe for the national team because they have delivered to the satisfaction of all. "Dede Ayew won the Best Player award in our match against Burkina Faso with Kwadwo Asamoah also winning the Fair Play Award in our first game and look at the contributions of the likes of Agyeman Badu, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Arday among others.

"The new guys have really given me enough confidence and with time, they will have no difficulty in taking over from the senior guys, because they have demonstrated their worth as the future of the team". The GFA boss stated.

Mr Nyantakyi said the presence of the players in the team has also been given a psychological advantage over others because much is not known of them by their prospective opponents.

He said the Stars have since the start of the competition been the under dogs because of the composition of the team and this remains their key factor in making further progress in the competition. The GFA boss stated that, playing against Angola will be a difficult assignment since they are the host nation and will have everything to their advantage.

"They will be motivated to win with the huge following and expected with a large attendance at the stadium and this could also overwhelm our boys.

"But we have psyched up the team to face these challeng es on Sunday because it is a must win game for us". He declared. Mr Nyatakyi revealed that the GFA has prepared a more lucrative package for the team should they beat the host nation and advance to the next stage of the competition.

He said the team has since the commencement of the competition enjoyed attractive packages and the game against Angola on Sunday is no excerption. The GFA President said they are bent on making an impact in the competition and therefore will do everything humanly possible to succeed, adding that Angola cannot stand in their way.