Black Stars defender John Paintsil says the team would be “going all out” as Ghana gets ready for the 2010 World Cup double-header in June.
Ghana faces two tough away matches in the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign this June with the Black Stars steadily going about their low key preparations.
Matches against Mali on June 7 and a game with Sudan, thirteen days later typifies the difficult nature of the campaign for Ghana.
Players of the team are hungry for a second successive World Cup appearance as the headline sponsor of the senior team, Gold Fields Ghana continue to provide the support to shore up the players’ motivation.
Gold Fields Ghana on Thursday presented a cash package of ¢350,000 to the team ahead of the two World Cup qualifying games.
John Paintsil, a member of Ghana’s debut World Cup campaign says the team are focused for the away qualifiers, which he admits would be difficult.
“We are going all out to do well especially with this two games coming up,” the Fulham fullback said as he received a dummy cheque from the team’s head line sponsor, Gold Fields Ghana Limited.
“We would do our best for the nation and everyone associated with the team. The team is grateful for the support received from Gold Fields Ghana and like we always do, we would give off our best.”
The mining company with operations in the country are backing the team to reach the finals of the World Cup which will be hosted for the first time on the continent.
“We highly anticipate that we would be there (South Africa).
“They (games with Mali and Sudan) are tough matches but the team is resolute and we believe in them to live the dream. We are backing the team to victory,” a statement by Gold Fields Ghana read.
Gold Fields Ghana are credited with aiding Ghana’s qualification for a debut World Cup finals at the 2006 edition hosted by Germany after their timely sponsors deal reached with the Ghana Football Association in 2005.
The Ghana Football Association last year agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal that maintains mining firm, Gold Fields Ghana Limited, as the headline sponsor of the Black Stars.
The new deal, worth $3.7 million which started running in April 2008 is a 24% increase of the previous agreement which expires later in March 2008.