Members of the Black Stars, Ghana's squad to the CAN 2002 in Mali on Friday called on President John Agyekum Kufuor at his residence before departing for Mali.

President Kufuor urged them to sacrifice to uplift the pride and image of the nation.

He said as individual players of their various clubs both at home and abroad their performance necessitated their selection to the team and should therefore put up the same performance to bring laurels to the country.

President Kufuor said discipline was crucial to their performance at the tournament, adding, "without discipline among yourselves and with the management team you should count yourself out."

He urged them to work as a team and eschew individualism and to play with the collective wisdom of a team because Mali would be used as a test of re-building the Black Stars.

Mr. Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports gave the assurance that the team would make Ghana proud to erase doubts being expressed by sports fans.

Mr Ben Kuofie, GFA Chairman said the team would use Mali as a platform to participate in the 2004 Olympics Games and the 2006 World Cup.

He said they would not promise the nation to win the cup at stake but they would ensure a good performance.

Mr Emmanuel Osei Kufuor, Captain of the team, said they would play their hearts out to bring the smiles back to the faces of Ghanaians.