Ghana is making a new start - Zumdick

Accra, Nov 11, GNA - Ralph Zumdick, coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars has said Sunday's World Cup qualifying match against Somalia is a new start for the nation on the international scene.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports, coach Zumdick said having crushed out of the 2004 Nations Cup, the nation cannot afford to miss out on the 2006 World Cup, hence their determination to go all out on Sunday.

"The future of Ghana soccer depends on this particular match and this is why we are taking the match very seriously, though all the two legs would be played in Ghana," coach Zumdick said. He said "a bad start for Ghana on Sunday means the nation will be out of the international scene for the next two years and it would be unbearable for the nation and that is why we are not underrating the Somalis at all."

Coach Zumdick said, he considers his opponents as a strong side even though he has little knowledge about them, adding that he has got the caliber of players to do the job on Sunday.

He said every player invited, is aware of the importance of the match and would ride on the enthusiasm to make a good start. According to the coach, he is looking forward to a good blend of local and foreign players to form a formidable squad, which he said, would be the foundation for the future.

Coach Zumdick in justifying the invitation of two youngsters, Asamoah Gyan and Kojo Poku said the two players are doing well on the local scene and need to be guided to blossom into very good players for the nation.

He said Poku has got a lot of international exposure by playing for Kotoko in the Africa Cup Winners Cup last season, whilst Gyan is a talented player who deserves to be in the team for the sake of the future.

Coach Zumdick said all things being equal, the team would triumph on Sunday to set the nation on a good path for the World Cup.