A board member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Mr. Sylvester T. Mensah, has observed that the historic victory of Accra Hearts of Oak in last year’s CAF Champions League, provides tremendous momentum that could propel the Black Stars to the next World Cup finals in Korea and Japan.

He was pleased to note that the celebration of that victory was shared by all Ghanaians irrespective of club affiliation and said the mood is just right to rub on the Black Stars’ determination to make their first appearance at the World Cup finals.

Mr Mensah made the observation when he inaugurated the Yaw Preko Fan Club, a group of friends of the Ghanaian international footballer, in Accra last Saturday.

He advised the group to show their loyalty not to the Ghanaian striker alone but to extend it to all the national teams including the women’s team when they play against other teams.

He praised Yaw Preko for his skills and dedication, described him as one of the longest serving members of the Black Stars and asked other Ghanaian players to show similar dedication to the game.

The chairman for the function, Mr. Ebo Quansah, the Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), traced Yaw Preko’s exploits from the 1989 Under 16 World Cup in Scotland through his invitation to the Black Stars in 1991and said only a disciplined player can sustain such consistency over such a long time.

The player, in his comments, thanked the group for thinking so highly of him and pledged never to disappoint them anytime he gets the opportunity to play for the national team.

He re-echoed the advice to extend their support to the entire national team “even when I am not playing.”

“Keep cheering us even if I am not playing or if I am sitting on the bench because I can be equally devastating when I come on as a substitute.”

The nine-member executive of the club has as its chairman, Mr. Owusu Ansah, an Accra businessman and a coach of Kotobabi Powerlines at the time Preko played for the colts club.