His Excellency, President J.E.A Mills has sent a message to Black Stars midfielder Anthony Annan to express his sadness at the death of his mother, who passed away on Thursday.

Madam Sophia Sampson died in a hospital in Cape Coast, Ghana, after falling sick earlier in the day.

The President's message which was delivered by Sports Minister, Hon. Kofi Humado on Saturday read: “It is a trying moment but we believe you can pull through. The whole of Ghana is solidly behind you and though it is a difficult time having lost a treasured one, be rest assured that, you have a whole nation you can lean on.”

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with you at this time of sadness.”

President Mills also urged the other players on the team to be with him and cheer him up as he goes through this hard time.

Ghana will wear black armbands in the quarter-final match against Tunisia in Franceville in memory of the passing Annan's mother.