The Management of AFRICAN ECHO has sent a goodwill message to the Ghana?s national team, the Black Star on the eve of their first ever appearance in a World Cup first match against their Italian counterparts on Monday.

In a statement issued and jointly signed by the Editors, Mr. Daniel Owusu Frimpong and Nana Sifa Twum, this afternoon in London, the management noted that the Stars qualification to the world cup finals has made all Ghanaians living everywhere proud, especially those living outside the country, who interact more frequently with citizens from countries who more often participates in the world?s ultimate soccer tournament.

The Management of AFRICAN ECHO an African community weekly newspaper owned and managed by Ghanaians with its headquarters in London congratulated the Stars for their hard work which has resulted in the qualification.

The statement said the Stars have always been striving honours for the nation without much success at the global level and observed the actual magic moments have come for the nation to imprint its name with gold in the world record books of football.

The Management recalled the massive support it amassed for the Stars during their friendly and pre tournament encounters with their Senegalese, Jamaican and the South Korean counterparts in the UK and pledged similar one for the stars when the they line-up against one of the world?s renowned soccer nations tomorrow and indeed all other subsequent matches.

The statement urged all Ghanaians to support the stars in any possible way they could for the team and the nation as a whole to realise the long awaited ambition of the country in not only participating in the most prestigious soccer meet but more importantly making an impart.

?As the first Ghanaian player kicks the ball for the first time tomorrow, Ghana will be on its way not only to redeem its past glory as ?soccer supremo? of the African continent but also finding a way for higher grounds on the world map of soccer? the statement added.

It called on the players not to be complacent but rather go all out to win all their group matches which will eventually propel them into the enviable stages of the competition, adding that it will not be so easy especially playing their first game with the country who won the first world cup, ?but with dint of hard work discipline and commitment as it has been in the team over the last few years the sky will be the limit.?. It said.

The management of AFRICAN ECHO praise the people and the government of Ghana for their efforts in the provision of the needed resources, support and motivation for the national team. It particularly credited the President J.A. Kufour for his personal interest and noted that his physical presence at the opening match will serve as a morale booster to the playing body and handlers alike to perform creditably and honour the name of Ghana.