Kumasi, Jan 19, GNA - Various sports fans and enthusiasts in the Kumasi Metropolis have expressed mixed feelings about the performance of the Black Stars in their trail matches against Togo and Tunisia in their preparations towards the African Cup of Nations tournament which kicks off in Egypt on January 20.

While some of them are disappointed by the performance of the team in the trial matches, others are also confident that despite the odds, the Stars will perform well in the tournament.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA Sports in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Kofi Abraham, a sports fan at Tafo said the trial matches should serve as reminder to the players to amend their styles and adopt effective strategies to overcome any teething problems.

Mr Abraham appealed to the coach of the Black Stars, Ratomir Dujkovic to review his plans and come up with strategies that would improve the performances of the Black Stars at the Nations soccer fiesta.

Mr A. Aluko, a lotto seller attributed the poor performance of the Stars in their trial matches to the fact that the players wanted to avoid injuries to enable them face the crucial task ahead of them. He asked all football fans not to be deterred by the abysmal performance of the team in their trials but that they should give the team their maximum support to enable them achieve the ultimate. Mr C.K. Gyamfi, a mechanic stated that, "football is like a new car which has to be tried on the road to know its roadworthiness", adding that the trial matches were therefore expected to be used to address any unforeseen problems.

The Black Stars who are in Group 'D' together with Senegal, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, will play their first match against Nigeria on January 23.