Accra, Nov. 20, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday send a goodwill message to the senior national football team, the Black Stars as they prepare to meet their Benin counterparts in the finals of the Zenith Four-nation football tournament.

The Black Stars beat Togo 2-0 in the second match of the tourney while Benin pipped United Arab Emirates to qualify for the finals on Wednesday at the Ohene Djan Sports stadium.

In a message issued by Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary to the President copied to the GNA Sports, the President said the qualification of the Stars following their 2-0 victory over their Togolese counterparts last Sunday are sign of good things to come.

President Kufuor therefore wished the Stars well in their preparations, adding that a victory over Benin to lift the ultimate Cup is a necessary prelude to the upcoming African Cup of Nations to be staged in Ghana next year.

He said "I've no doubt that you can do it to inspire yourselves and to assure all Ghanaians that you are capable of winning the African Cup of Nations in 2008".

The Ghana 2008 MTN Africa Cup of Nations kick starts from January 20 until February 10 at the venue cities of the renovated Ohene Djan Sports stadium of Accra and Baba Yara stadium - Kumasi as well as the newly constructed stadiums at Essipong near Sekondi and Tamale.