Black Stars Remain Focused For Sudan

Sitting top in Group D, five points ahead of the closest challengers but eight clear of upcoming rivals Sudan, Ghana are more than optimistic about their chances of reaching the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ghana has looked class apart in Group D having maintained a hundred percent record since the start of the campaign, winning all three matches and still yet to concede a goal. The Black Stars could seal their place at South Africa 2010 if they win in Accra and Mali draw against Benin. Despite the qualifiers left with three round of matches beginning Sunday, excitement has engulfed the country with football fans tipping the four-time African Champions of making it a second successive World Cup finals. And that excitement is not misplaced but the man responsible for leading Ghana�s qualification, Milovan Rajevac, is not getting carried away with his demand for total concentration from his players amid the hype surrounding the game. �It is only through hard work that we can achieve our dream and I have told the players that I met,� he said. Rajevac�s immediate task, though, is to gather his players and ensure that they reproduce their impressive club performances to achieve a win on Sunday. He is not alone in ensuring that the hype doesn�t get to the team as the Ghana Football Association treats the game as another World Cup qualifier devoid of any celebratory mood. Qualifying is high on the agenda but FA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi though cautions, says it �would be really surprising if we (Ghana) don�t make it.� For Nyantakyi, the team would need to maintain their focus after having kicked off to a good start. �I think this is our best ever start, three matches, three wins and no goals against us. �The performances have gotten everyone excited and people are happy and looking forward to another World Cup.� �It would be really surprising if we don�t make it. I think that God must be so unhappy with us that we must be struck by a natural disaster such us injury affecting most of key players that we unable to raise a formidable squad. �We are lucky to have gotten this far through the hard work of the players, coaches and all associated with the team�s planning,� GFA President said.