Former Black Stars player tips Ghana

Kumasi, Jan. 31, GNA - A former member of the Black Stars squad that won Silver at the 1992 African Cup of Nations (CAN) Tournament in Senegal, Stephen Frimpong-Manso has tipped Ghana to upstage Nigeria at the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing 26th Ghana 2008 soccer tournament. "I have watched the two sides play three matches each in the tournament and can authoritatively say that the Black Stars are far ahead of their Nigerian counterparts so far as the competition was concerned," he noted.

Frimpong-Manso told the GNA Sports at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Wednesday, after the Pharaohs of Egypt drew 1-1 with the Chipolopolo of Zambia in their last "Group C" match.

The former influential player, who was also a member of the 1992 Black Star squad that beat Nigeria 2-1 at the semi-final stage, cautioned the Stars against complacency saying "even though the Stars will be playing as host, they need to go into the match with all the seriousness it deserves".

Frimpong-Manso was optimistic that the national team was capable of winning the cup if they managed to go past the quarterfinal stage of the competition.

The Black Stars clash with the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday, February 3, at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, Accra in a match that is expected to be uncompromising.

Touching on African football in general, the once stalwart defender of the Stars, who is now the Head coach of Kumasi-based Kessben Football Club, lauded the steady progress of the game on the Continent. "So many things have changed about African football since we played in 1992, especially in terms of facilities, motivation of players and tactical discipline among players" he noted.