Thoughts that the Black Stars have lost their shine since the 2014 World Cup were firmly put to rest in Tamale on Monday afternoon when thousands turned up to welcome the team ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Guinea.

Thousands of football fans, many on motorbikes, shocked players of the national team when they turned up their numbers to welcome the team at the Tamale Airport.

In a direct answer to the professional naysaysers who seem intent on painting a gloomy picture for the future of the national team, fans in Tamale – in their numbers – proved that the Black Stars is still cherished by many as police struggled desperately to hold back the thousands who were bent on meeting their star players.

The names of players were chanted loudly, accompanied by the melodious tunes of the drums of the north regions of Ghana, met the Black Stars players on their arrival in Tamale for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash against Guinea.

The Black Stars got close to the fans to wave at them and thank them for the support which positively surprised the players.

“The support has been amazing. We want to thank the fans who have come here in their numbers to greet and welcomes us,” Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan told reporters after greeting the fans.

“We have happy with what we have seen here and we know that victory and good performance is what they want on Wednesday and we will give them exactly that.”

As the team made its way to the team hotel motorbike riders number more than 200 led the convoy with the names of players being chanted by the fans.

The team was also greeted by crowds of well-wishers, photographers and television camera crews as the team bus made its way to the team’s hotel.

Delighted family members and public held aloft glittering banners welcoming the team home with five players in the squad hailing from Tamale.

The reception looks to be a direct answer to some fans who turned up in Kumasi to boo the Black Stars in their previous match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium last month when they played Uganda.

This demonstrated that there is still high support for the national team and that the Tamale fans are keen on making the north the base for future matches of the national team.

As the team is in Tamale for its first official match in the north and with the supporters showing maximum support for Wednesday’s official international match, it would be difficult for the GFA to neglect the city for future matches.