The Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Mustapha Ussif has sent a Goodwill message to the Black Satellites ahead of Saturday’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations final match.
The inspiring message which was broadcast to the team via video during a team meeting on Saturday morning.
In a message delivered on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana, Hon. Ussif wished the team the best of luck for the game in today’s game against the Hippos of Uganda.
“Fortunately for us today happens to be the Independence Day and I know as you go into this match, you are going to have the same spirit as our fore fathers fought and tools for our independence.
“I know you will fight for mother Ghana and lift our flag high. I know you are going to make us proud and bring this trophy home as an independence gift to Ghanaians.
“The whole country is behind you, H.E President Akufo-Addo is behind you, the Vice President is behind you and the whole country is praying for you”.
“Our religious leaders are praying for you, the National Chief Imam and the entire Muslim community is praying for you.
“You have already made us proud by making it to the final. Make us proud by bringing the trophy home. We know you can do it. Do it for us!”, the sports Minister stated.
U20 Management Committee chairman Ransford Anertey Abbey thanked the sector minister for his message and support throughout the competition.
He also thanked the minister for his highly motivating as thoughtful message ahead of today’s final match.
On behalf of the team, Goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim assured the minister that the team is determined to win the trophy for Ghana and to add their names to the country’s history.
“We say a very big thank you to the minister for this motivational message. We will do do our best to bring this trophy to Ghana and we are very determined to make history for ourselves. And we want to tell the minister and all Ghanaians to be rest assured that we Will bring the trophy home today”, Danlad Ibrahim emphasized.
Coach Abdul Karim Zito also expressed gratitude to the Minister for his message and was hopeful that his team will ensure that they win the trophy as an Independence Day present to Ghana.
“This opportunity is not common. Out of 30 million people we have been chosen to represent Ghana. This serves an the extrinsic motivations for the team.
“We’ve reached a stage where something so important to us is at stake. We are determined to win it and present the trophy as our contribution to the celebration of our Independence Day”, Coach Zito added.
The match which will be played at the Stade Olympique is scheduled to kick off at 8:00pm.
Ghana stands the chance of adding to the three titles it has won previously in the U20 AFCON competition.
