Ghana football association in a statement on Thursday expressed their profound gratitude to football fans who turn up massively to support the BlackStars in 2019 AFCON Qualifier against Ethiopia.
The senior national team return to the Kumasi city to play a competitive game after 3 years of absence due to fans agitation of unwillingness to support the team after Brazil 2016 debacle.
Fans turn up in their numbers to fill the stadium in which authorities grossed GHC250,000 from gate proceeds.
“We also want to recognize the incredible support of the fans and students as they defied the early rains to throng the stadium to support the Black Stars to victory,”GFA official statement said.
The Black Stars ran out 5-0 victors over Ethiopia in last weekend fixture .
Below is the full statement:
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) wishes to state that it was completely overwhelmed by the outstanding support the Black Stars received in Kumasi when they played Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.
As such the GFA would like to put on record our sincere appreciation to all those who played various roles in the successful hosting of the match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
First and foremost, we would like to thank the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for offering his wise counsel and support to the Black Stars at the Manhyia Palace.
Otumfuo’s presence during Friday’s training session was also an incredible inspiration to the players, the coaching staff and management.
The Speaker of Parliament Prof Mike Ocquaye also visited the team on Saturday night and his encouraging speech and prayer with the players also spurred the Black Stars to victory.
The government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports, ensured that the Black Stars preparation for the match was smooth which massively helped in the success.
We also want to thank our banking partner Unibank and the Duffuor Foundation as they joined the Black Stars effort of donating to three orphanages – The Kumasi Children’s Home, Missionaries of Charity and All Nations Orphanage on Friday.
The various religious bodies from Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists all supported the team with prayers for which we are thankful.
The media was extremely vital to the success of the team as the wall-to-wall coverage helped to secure the massive turnout during Sunday’s match and for that we are grateful.
We also want to recognize the incredible support of the fans and students as they defied the early rains to throng the stadium to support the Black Stars to victory.
Such concerted efforts will continue to play an important role in keeping the Black Stars moving in a positive direction.
Thank you.
Kwesi Nyantakyi
President
Ghana Football Association
