Otumfuo Rallies Support For Black Stars

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that he would be the �12th player� of the Black Stars when they clash with the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday in the penultimate hurdle to next year�s FIFA World Cup, urging them to win massively in the first leg victory at the Baba Yara Stadium. He assured the players, handlers and management members of the national team when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace yesterday, that as the 12th player, he would be with them in spirit and was confident that Egypt would fall heavily in Kumasi. Characteristic of the Asantehene, he gave his blessings to the team and said President John Mahama, he (Otumfuo) and all Ghanaians were behind them to overcome Egypt and make a triumphant entry to Brazil 2014. He said all that he wanted to hear was �goal!, goal!!, goal!!!, when the team played Egypt on Tuesday, so that the task of qualification to the World Cup would be easier when the two sides clash in the second leg. Otumfuo said when the best teams in the world are assembled in Brazil for football�s biggest global gathering, Ghana cannot afford to stay behind. He acknowledged the extraordinary support the team got whenever they played in Kumasi and was happy that the Baba Yara Stadium had over the time been a fertile ground for the team. In response Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, assured the Asantehene that the team would not disappoint him and Ghanaians in general. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, said Otumfuo�s great love and support for the Black Stars was always an inspiration to the team. He noted that despite preparations for the Akwasidae festival next Sunday, Otumfuo took time off his traditional duties to meet the team and offer words of inspiration and blessing. Ghana Football Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi, said everything had been done to motivate the team to deliver big-time on Tuesday. Black Stars head coach, Kwasi Appiah, said that the work-rate of his players was very high, which he said was an indication that they were ready for the battle.