Alhaji Aliu Mahama, the Vice President on Thursday tasked the Black Stars to win the 23rd African Cup of Nations in Mali next January to cement the unity of the country.

Speaking at the Black Stars ‘Benefit Nite’ at the La Palm Beach Hotel, during which corporate bodies announced their sponsorship packages to the team, Alhaji Aliu said, "the national spirit will sink, productivity will fall and our economy will suffer" if the Stars fail to shine in Mali.

He said in order to avoid that kind of situation the players must subject themselves to camp discipline and obey the technical team so that they would excel and bring honour and glory to themselves and the nation.

Describing soccer as "a religion to the government", The Vice President said he has absolute faith in the Black Stars to win, adding that there is no logic in football that is why underdogs are able to upset the form guide during matches.

Alhaji Aliu praised corporate bodies and organisations, which support sports and called on individuals and business institutions to join the sponsorship train because "whatever is given will be faithfully applied."

In his speech the Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports reiterated the government's appeal for sponsors because "sports cannot be financed by government alone."

He said there are many benefits in sports promotion and development as it offers employment and gives the nation and the athletes fame and honour.

The Minister said he was impressed with the high level of discipline and morale in the team when he visited them at Winneba and is convinced that the players would bring the African Nations Cup back to Ghana after 20 years.

Mr Ben Koufie Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said preparations for Mali 2002 have been very expensive but assured the nation that things are going on smoothly and that the "Black Stars would do well for a positive change in Ghana football."

He said CAN 2002 would be used as a stepping-stone to the 2006 World Cup to be hosted by Germany.

In all a total sponsorship package of about 4.6 billion cedis in cash and kind was announced for the Black Stars. Topping the list of donors were kit sponsors, Adidas whose package amounted to half a million dollars.

Guinness Ghana Limited dished out a package of ? 450, 000,000 while Metro TV and TV3 offered free airtime worth ?75 million and ? 200 million respectively.

Budget Cash and Carry, distributors of Blue Jeans Energy Drink gave a cheque for ?50 million and donated some of their products whilst Vanef STC donated ?20 million and promised a free bus pass for the players for six months if they qualify from the preliminary stage and for one year if they win the cup.

Wonderfoods Limited, manufactures of Cowbell Milk gave a total package of ?5 million of which ? 2 million was in cash and ? 3 million in products.

GLICO, an insurance company offered a total deal of ?500 million made up of ?5 million to the team, another ?5 million to the supporters, an insurance package for supporters, and the purchase of every goal scored during the prelims for ?1 million and ?2 million for every goal scored during the final match. The Insurance Company also announced a conditional donation of ? 50 million to the Black Stars if the win the cup.

Nana Brew Butler, former chairman of the GFA and a representative of Arab Contractors announced an unspecified hospitality package for the Stars during their training tour of Egypt before the tournament. He also promised to buy every goal scored by the team during the competition for a hundred dollars.

The new kit sponsors, Adidas unveiled two new designs of jerseys the Stars would use during the tournament.

While one was in the conventional colours of yellow with a black star embossed on the chest and back, the other was white with black stripes on one of the shoulders and a black star on the chest and back.