Soccer News of Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Source: Joy Online

Kwasi Appiah: It's time for Black Stars to write their names

Ghana Coach Kwasi Appiah has charged his boys to go all out and win Wednesday’s crucial semi final clash with their Burkinabe counterparts.

The Black Stars booked the semi final clash with the Stallions after defeating Cape Verde 2: 0, in a rather unconvincing manner in their quarter final duel last Saturday.

Addressing the media Tuesday ahead of the tomorrow’s game, Kwasi Appiah said, the players are ready to battle Burkina Faso and have their names written in the history books.

“I am lucky to have my name as a Nations’ Cup winner. I've told the players it's time for them to write their names too”.

Ghana could not train on the sandy pitch at Nelspruit on Monday owing to heavy rains. There are already fears that the nature of the pitch might affect the Black Stars, who are new to that pitch which several teams have complained about. The Stallions on the other hand, have played all their four previous matches on that pitch and see that as an urge over Ghana.

But Kwasi Appiah does not appear to be too much worried. “We can't train on the main pitch but we won't play there alone. Burkina have played there already; but we have no choice but to compete. We would have preferred one training session on it but it's not possible so the pitch is no longer an issue,” he told journalists.

Nonetheless, the Black Stars Coach said his side is fully prepared and training very well for a tough game against Burkina tomorrow.