Kumasi, March 29, Ghanadot/GNA – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,
Asantehene, at the week-end defied heavy rains to give moral
and spiritual support to the senior national team, the Black
Stars during their training session at the Baba Yara Sports
Stadium in Kumasi.
The Stars play their Benin counterparts in a FIFA World
Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.
The Asantehene was accompanied by the Minister of Youth and
Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, Mr Kofi Poku Manu,
Ashanti Regional Minister and officials of the National
Sports Council (NSC) and Ghana Football Association (GFA).
No sooner had the Asantehene arrived at the stadium when the
rains started but he stood his grounds, defied the downpour
and interacted with both the handlers and the playing body.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu told the team that the whole of Asanteman
and the entire nation were solidly united behind them and
expressed confidence that they would not disappoint.
He said he recognizes the tremendous contributions of the
Stars through their dazzling performances on the football
pitch which he noted has made them to lift high the image of
the country.
The Asantehene advised the players against complacency and
asked that they approach all the qualifying matches with
seriousness, determination, dedication and strong sense of
discipline.
Skipper Stephen Appiah said they had been inspired by the
Asantehene’s visit and were not going to let the nation
down.
“We have every reason to believe that with Otumfuo’s support
we would go to places”.
Appiah said the players and their handlers were well-focused
on the job they had on their hands and appealed to the fans
to back them with their prayers.
GNA
