Accra, Jan 17, GNA - Goldfields Ghana Limited has signed a three year agreement with the Ghana Football Association to maintain their status as the headline sponsors of the Black Stars.

The 3.7 million dollar package, which begins April 2008, is a 24 per cent rise of the previous agreement which expires later in March 2008. Johan L. Botha, Managing Director of Goldfields said the renewal was their way of exhibiting their confidence in the national "Team A". He told GNA Sports that the first sponsorship agreement was mutually beneficial, hence the decision to renew it. The Managing Director said his outfit's desire to establish themselves as a responsible corporate entity was partly the reason for injecting such a huge amount into the sponsorship of the team that will open the Nation's Cup against Guinea on Sunday, January 20 at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

The 'Miners' will in return expect the Black Stars to outshine all in the three week fiesta and beyond.

"We expect the team to lift the Nation's Cup and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and bring home the trophy as well." Kwesi Nyantakyie, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) beamed with joy throughout the announcement at the function which was patronized by some Black Stars players.

He recounted Goldfields sponsorship in 2005 when the Stars was a less attractive product as compared to today, underscoring how much faith the company has kept in the team from the very first. The President described the renewal of the sponsorship as timely and saying he was convinced it will serve as added motivation for the team as they chase a fifth Nation's Cup glory that will equal Egypt's record at the continent's plum competition for the nation. The package will take care of the team's match bonuses and the salary of the coach among others. 17 Jan. 08