Accra , Jan 23, GNA - The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has urged the senior national team, the Black Stars, to make the nation’s quest for the prestigious continental trophy a reality as they battle Bostwana in the opening group D game on Tuesday in the Africa Cup of Nations.

A statement from the association said signals from the camp of the Black Stars have given nation enough conviction that the trophy will touch the land of gold in few weeks’ time.

It said, “It is indeed time for the Black Stars to shine again by ensuring that they go all out to win the trophy, which has eluded the nation for the past 30 years”.

“Having placed third and second in the 2008 and 2010 editions of the competition respectively, nothing but the ultimate will appease the hearts of Ghanaian, hence the need for the team to go the extra mile to chalk success,’’ the statement said.

“This is our time and the Association believes that this spirit of optimism running through not just the people of Ghana but the playing body as well will be made practical,” the statement added.

SWAG cautioned the team to be on their guard against any form of complacency since there are no longer minnows in Africa football.

It said the performance of Zambia, Sudan and Angola so far in the competition should serve as a warning for the team as Bostwana could also pose the same threat to them.

The statement said victory would not come on a silver platter and ‘’believes in the ability of the Black Stars to scale over any form of challenges as the nation waits eagerly to smile in February.