The skipper of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah, has given a firm assurance that the Black Stars will begin a recovery journey to be counted among football’s elites this year.

The Brescia midfielder contended that the unanimous decision by him and his colleagues is an uncompromising move targeted at breaking the cycle of poor results associated with the team of late.

This relieving news was contained in a New Year message by skipper Appiah to Ghanaians. Though he conceded the fact that the task to lead the Stars back to the top was quite Herculean, he expressed his commitment to perform his role diligently and efficiently with the support of his colleagues to realise that dream. “It is our determination to be the best or with the best,” he emphasised.

He explained that football, being the passion of the nation, puts a lot of pressure and stress on the team to excel always. Appiah whose appointment took effect last year during the short stint of the runaway Yugoslav coach, Milan Zivadinovic, in a typical new year resolution style on behalf of his team mates apologised to Ghanaians to let go any offence by any member of the team in the course of performing their national duties.

Turning rather philosophical, he said, “they that tread the path of labour follow where my feet had tread. They who work without complaining do the only will of God.”

He called on sports personalities who have the game at heart such as Edward Acquah, Awuley Quaye, Mohammed Polo, Rev Osei Kofi, Anas Seidu, Oti Akenten, Jones Attuquayefio and C.K. Gyamfi, among others, who have the technical know-how to come together to assist in bringing Ghana football back to the limelight.

Meanwhile, the Stars are scheduled to play their Beninoise counterparts in an international friendly at the Kumasi Stadium on Sunday. The match will be a run-up for the Stars towards their return friendly against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Lagos next Sunday, 2 February. The Stars lost the first leg 1-0 in Accra.