Tamale, Oct. 9, GNA - Mr Abuga Pele, Minority Spokesperson on Education and Sports, on Sunday commended the senior national football team, the Black Stars, for their qualification for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

"The quest for Germany 2006 has now been concretised and on behalf of the National Democratic Congress, (I congratulate) the playing body, the technical team, the coach and the entire management of the Stars," Mr Pele told the GNA Sports in an interview in Tamale. Mr Pele said the feat was unprecedented in the history of the country.

He added that the 4-0 victory in Praia, Cape Verde, on Saturday should remind the world about Ghana's superiority in Africa soccer. Mr Pele, who is also the MP for the Chiana/Paga, said the task ahead was, however, great and no effort should be spared towards preparing the playing body through hard work and early camp for the World Cup.

"In as much as we should jubilate in this hour of glory, now is the time to lay a firm foundation for the take-off of Ghana football," he said, adding that juvenile soccer should be taken more seriously. Ghana beat Cape Verde 4-0 in Praia on Saturday to top Group Two and therefore qualify for Germany 2006.

Mr pele said the performance of the U-17 national team at the just ended world tournament in Peru was disappointing and attributed this to lack of an adequate programme, "bad technical management both in Peru and in Ghana".

The ranking member said the time had come to put a proper framework in place to ensure that a firm foundation was laid. "This way, Ghana soccer can even surpass that of Brazil and only the World Cup title is good for us."

He called on all Ghanaians to take off their "political jerseys" to collectively support the team to do well in the World Cup.