On the eve of Christmas as Ghanaians and Christians all over the world prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and usher in a new year, Ghana’s Black Stars safest pair of hands, Richard ‘Oleley’ Kingson, has sent his season’s greetings to Ghanaians and soccer fans all over the world

On his official website, www.richardkingson.com, the goalie expressed his sincere thanks to Ghanaian soccer fans for their unflinching support to the Black Star team especially during the recent four-nation tournament which the Stars lifted on home soil after defeating fellow Benin 4-2 at the final and urged supporters improve on that during next year’s Nations Cup.

According to the Birmingham City goalkeeper, every member of the team are poised at delivering the trophy to Ghanaians on the 10th of February next year but emphasised that it will not come easy judging from recent performances of players whose countries have qualified to participate in the African bi-annual soccer fiesta However, Kingson called for prayers for the Black Star team as they prepare to conquer Africa for the fifth time come next year.

Below is the message Kingson issued at his website (www.richardkingson.com)

Once again X’mas is here with us and as we celebrate and usher in a new year, I will like to on behalf of my lovely wife Adelaide Kingson, Stephan Kingson, my son, Laryea Kingson, my junior brother, and the entire Kingson family wish every Ghanaian soccer fan, our hard working sports journalist and officials of the Ghana Football Association as well as the technical team of the Black Stars a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year.

It’s my hope and prayer that as the Lord guided us in the year 2007, He should do same for everyone in the coming years as well as letting us realised our numerous dream. With the 26th edition of the African Nations Cup coming-off in Ghana next year, it’s my hope and that of my colleagues, skipper Stephen Appiah, who needs everyone’s prayer at this moment as he tries to gain full recovery from his injury, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah among others that the entire soccer fans in Ghana join me and the entire Black Stars team in prayers as we prepare for the African Cup of Nations which kicks-off on January 20th, 2008 in my home land Ghana.

Tunisia and Egypt hosted and won the last edition of the competition and its time for us to do same by letting the trophy remain in Ghana after the competition but we will also need the support and prayers of every Ghanaian. Like officials of the Ghana Football Association have already declared, we cannot afford to see the African trophy depart the shores of Ghana after the 10th of February next year.

In fact we need to host and win and this will be possible by the prayers of every Ghanaian since on behalf of the playing body I can confirmed that we are leaving no stone unturned in our quest for our fifth African title come the 10th of February 2008.