My Doors Are Open - Yeboah

ANTHONY YEBOAH, one of the most prolific goal poachers the country has ever produced, has stated that he is prepared and willing to play any role that would propel the senior national team, the Black Stars to win the African Cup on home soil.

He noted that the onus now lied on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to determine whether his services would be needed or not, insisting that his doors were opened to the FA.

Speaking in a radio interview in Kumasi, he said, “If the GFA invite me today, as a patriotic citizen of the land, I will honour the call and play any role assigned me to help the team to win the trophy, just as I helped the Stars during the Germany 2006 World Cup when I was invited.”

He however stated that he would not go and beg the football authorities to assign him a role during the CAN 2008 tournament which kick-starts on January 20, 2008 in Accra.

“They know my capabilities; also they are aware that we the old players can play important roles in the areas of counseling the players among other things. Therefore it is up to them to decide whether it would be worth inviting us or not,” he remarked.

Touching on the chances of the team, the ex-Black Stars striker said Ghana had the best chance of lifting the coveted trophy on home soil for the fifth time.

Sounding optimistic, the two-time Bundesliga goal-king noted that with the likes of Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and others, Ghana would surely emerge victors in the tournament.

He stressed that with support from the fans, Ghana could win the competition for the first time since 1982 when the Stars won the trophy in far away Libya.

Yegoala, who in his heydays plied his trade in Germany and Britain, however cautioned players of the senior national team not to be complacent, especially in the group stages.

By Fred Ibrahim