President Kufuor congratulates the Black Meteors

Accra, March 29, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday congratulated the National Under-21 Squad, the Black Meteors for their sterling performance and qualification to participate in the Athens Olympics Games, this year. In a congratulatory message issued in Accra and signed on behalf of President Kufuor by Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, the Press Secretary said: "Your qualification for the Olympics Games slated for Athens, historic home of the Olympic Games is a monumental achievement. "It is a feat for which the nation is justifiably proud. Such patriotic display of character goes to show your resolve in bringing honours to our nation", it said.

The Meteors qualified when they beat their Zambian counterparts, the Young Chipolopolo 2-0 in their crucial deciding football match played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday. Ghana and Zambia were tied at the top spot in Group D but with Zambia ahead on superior goal aggregate. Two goals in each half from Abubakari Yahuza in the 21st minute and Kwadwo Poku in the 80th minute were what Ghana needed to qualify for the competition.

The statement said: "I wish, therefore, on behalf of the Government and nation to congratulate you, the players, coach and the entire management for this great achievement. "This qualification, however, is the first step in the big battle ahead and I urge you on to take inspiration from your predecessors who were the first African side to have won an Olympic soccer medal. The feat was attained in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. This is a record this team must excel and in so doing lift high Ghana's flag", it said. President Kufuor said: " The entire nation wishes you the best of luck in your preparations for Athens and with it the support and prayers of the Government and Ghanaians."