EVEN THOUGH a number of people underestimate Ghana?s Black Stars? chances, ahead of the Germany 2006 World Cup finals, Back-to-Batan Minister of Education, Science and Sports is cautiously optimistic that the Stars would spring surprises at the tourney, reports Isaac Franklin.

At a ceremony to outdoor ECOBANK as an official bank for the Stars, Hon. Paapa Owusu-Ankomah, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi stated, ?I?ve no doubts; the Stars would surprise Ghanaians, and the world as a whole.?

?We are going to define soccer at the World Cup finals, and I hope the Stars would showcase a great show,? he observed.

The Sekondi MP?s confidence, notwithstanding, Lawyer Kwasi Nyantakyi, president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) stressed that, although Ghanaians doubt Ghana?s chances, he was hopeful the Stars would match their opponents, boot for boot.

Lawyer Nyantakyi maintains the Stars are bound to upset their foreign counterparts, with the aim of gunning for the ultimate trophy, at stake. As an official bank of the Stars, ECOBANK presented a cheque for $150,000 to the team, through Hon. Owusu-Ankomah.