Soccer News of Tuesday, 13 November 2007

Source: www.richardkingson.com.

Stars Will Shock Africa- Kingson

Black Stars first choice goalkeeper, Richard ‘Oleley’ Kingson, has revealed that Ghana will send out to the rest of Africa their readiness to clinch the African trophy when they host three other countries in the forthcoming four-nation tournament scheduled for 17-21st of this month at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium.

The goalie, who arrives with three of his colleagues this evening after sitting on the bench to watch his side Birmingham City lose 2-1 at home to Aston Villa on Sunday nothing can prevent the Stars from winning their fifth African title when they host the rest of African in Ghana next January.

According to the goalie, the four-nation tournament will help the technical handlers of the team to access the team’s level of performance after their last international humiliation in Riyadh, when they lost 0-5 to the Saudi Arabia, a match that raised questions about the team’s preparedness to record a fifth African title as being speculated.

Touching on the decision by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to pitch camp outside the country, the former Great Olympics goalkeeper, claims camping in the country will be the best for the team considering the fact that the competition will be staged in Ghana.

He said ‘I think the most appropriate base for the team to camp is in our homeland, Ghana, since it will ease the unnecessary pressure from us and also considering the weather and the fact that the competition will be hosted in Ghana, which will help us come closer to the fans because we need the fans to stand behind us in all matches'

On whether the Stars have what it takes to stand the likes of Ivory Coast, Mali, Cameroon, Egypt and others, the goalie believed that will be known when the tournament kick-off on January 20th.

However, he was of the view that the technical handlers needs to include some experienced players to strengthen the side since the Cup of nations is meant for the matured. He mentioned the team's lateral defence and the striking force at an area that deserves much attention before the commencement of the bi-annual African event.

But Black Stars head coach, Claude Le Roy, has revealed that his door to player invitations will be shut after the four-nation tournament, meaning whoever does not make it in the Le Roy's final list for the four-nation tourney needs to count himself out so far as donning the national team jersey in concerned.