Yeboah calls for Stars focus

Yeboah says Stars must be serious Ghana legend Anthony Yeboah says the Black Stars must prepare well to ensure that it does not miss the opportunity of playing at the 2010 World Cup.

The senior national team was handed a tricky draw on Wednesday to play Benin, Mali and Sudan in the final phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Yeboah, who played for the Black Stars in the 1990s, says the country must not underrate their Group Four opponents as they are capable of springing surprises.

"We had a very tough group in the previous round of qualifiers and that is a lesson enough for us to prepare well," Yeboah said.

"There are no easy teams in African football these days and all the teams in our group are also strong.

"Libya and Gabon gave us a hard time in the previous qualifiers so this stage I expect it to be stonger.

"Playing at the first World Cup in Africa is a big opportunity for Ghana and the players and we must be there."

Ghana have a tougher task as they take on Mali, fast-improving Benin and the tricky Sudanese.

The Malians have some global stars in the likes of Fredi Kanoute, Seydou Keita and Mahamadou Diarra and will push a Ghanaian side that has failed to fire under new coach Milovan Rajevac.

Benin raced through the previous round of qualifying and although they lack the household names of Mali or Ghana, have the ability to upset the apple cart in the group.

Sudan, likewise, will be tough to beat in Khartoum, and it is often the matches against the so-called lesser sides in the group which prove definitive.