by John Moodie in NZ

Just a note to the people of Ghana to say that my home town of Napier, New Zealand has been host to your U17 Soccer Team for the last few weeks. They have done your nation proud, firstly on the football field where their skills & abilities have seen them through to this week's semi final clash with Brazil in Auckland; but more importantly - off the field they have been obliging, approachable, and a joy to deal with.

They have visited local primary schools and introduced to the local children, a part of Africa that is not very well known in this part of the world. New Zealand is not a big soccer playing country - with many other sports dominating the headlines, and player numbers, but with the help of visitors like your "Starlets" more and more New Zealand children will be attracted to this great game. Feel proud of these boys, they have done a hell of a lot of good for the image of your country in this little corner of the South Pacific.