'Stars Need Support'

Faisal Awudu aka Net 2 of NSU A die-hard fan of the Black Stars and an influential figure in the Nationwide Supporters Union set up, Faisal Awudu, aka NET 2, has called on Ghanaians to give their full support to the local components of the senior national team, as they seek to conquer Africa.

He observed that the Local Black Stars, as they are called, need the support and prayers of all, as they engage other countries in the maiden edition of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in neighbouring Cote d'Ivoire.

Faisal indicated that because of the belief they have in the Black Stars, about 1000 members of NSU are leaving Accra tomorrow for Cote d'Ivoire “to give our unalloyed support to the national team.

“Suffice to say that when it comes to cheering and supporting the various national teams, NSU is second to none.”

He commended the untiring efforts of the unions' leaders such as Aziz Futa, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, Edmund Ackah, Nana Kwame and Alhaji Sumaila, as well as sponsors MTN and Coca Cola.

In a telephone interview with the Chairman of NSU, Aziz Futa, he confirmed that members of his outfit would tomorrow embark on the journey to Bouake, where the Black Stars would be based.

“We are going to be there until the tournament ends on March 8 because we believe that Ghana will go to the finals and ultimately win the championship,” Aziz noted, reiterating the call on all Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars for victory.

He described as encouraging, President J.E.A Mills' promise to ensure that Ghana qualifies for the World Cup (in South Africa) for the second successive time.

The CHAN begins on Sunday February 22 and ends on March 8.

Ghana is in Group B where they will pitch their strength against Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Libya in the hope of progressing to the knock out stages of the inaugural competition designed for locally-based players only.

By Mohammed Muniru Kassim