A former Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Mr George Lutterodt is optimistic the Black Stars will shock the world by qualifying from their tough group at the World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana was drawn in a difficult group with Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay, leaving a section of fans pessimistic over the capability of the team to qualify from the group when the Mundial begins on November 21.
However, Mr Lutterodt, an experienced sports administrator told the Times Sports that Ghana has a quality team that can match any opponent in the group.
“I think people are not giving the Black Stars a chance. That is good because it would take the pressure off the team,” he stated.
“They will be playing top notch countries and I believe that Ghana has what it takes to come out of the group and then, the sky would be the limit,” he stated.
He expressed confidence in coaches Otto Addo and George Boateng who he believes have the experience to build on Ghana’s quarterfinal World Cup feat.
“There are very good young players including Mohammed Kudus, Tariq Lamptey and others that can take the tournament by storm,” he stressed.
He cautioned the Black Stars to remain focused and hold their nerves to be able to beat the likes of Portugal and South Korea to advance to the next stage.
That notwithstanding, Mr Lutterodt said it would be a huge task for the Black Stars but was also curtained that Ghana would go far in the tournament with the quality in their ranks, specifically with Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey in their ranks.
Though there is a lack of enthusiasm on the part of Ghanaian fans, he said, the team have huge prospects and must make it count going into the World Cup.
He called on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and government to provide the needed resources for the Black Stars to succeed.
He said with the ongoing economic turmoil in the country, sports could make a huge impact and give Ghanaians something to cheer about especially when the Black Stars do well.
He wished the team well and called on Ghanaians to go all out to support and believe that the Black Stars could stand tall against all odds.
Ghana would begin their campaign with a clash against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on November 24 before playing South Korea on November 28 and later face off with Uruguay in their last game of the group.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
