Gold Fields Renews Confidence In Stars

The headline sponsor of the Black Stars, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup.

Mr Johan Botha, the Managing Director, said this when he addressed a news conference yesterday at the corporate office of Gold Fields in Accra.

According to Mr Botha, the team's performance in last Saturday's preliminary qualifier sends strong signals that the team has undergone total transformation and is ready to take Africa and the world by storm.

“I watched the game from the touchline and it was a great experience. The atmosphere was charged and the quality of play was just unbelievable.

 I was also very impressed with the high level of discipline in the team and I think it is a trait that can take the team places,” he said. Mr Botha also used the opportunity to congratulate Coach Milovan Rajevac on a good job done.

The Serbian-born coach, through a translator, said he was satisfied with the team's result and would use the team's next friendly in South Africa to assess more options to strengthen the team.

The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, in a short speech acknowledged that the unprecedented sponsorship from Gold Fields had helped to make the Black Stars the focus of admiration.

“I have been particularly impressed with Mr Botha's interest in the team. He has attended all local matches involving the Black Stars since he took over as Managing Director.

Mr Nyantakyi also pledged his outfit's commitment to work towards a successful qualification to the next World Cup in South Africa.

The incoming Managing Director, Mr Peter Turner, and Mr Mike Ezan, an Executive Director of Gold Fields, were also present at the news conference.

Story by Nathaniel Attoh