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Mahama issues rallying cry

Ross DunbarMay 23, 2014

Mahama spoke at a ceremonial banquet before the Black Stars head to the USA for a pre-World Cup training camp. The president is daring to believe that Ghana can be the first African country to become world champions.

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Ghana John Dramani Mahama
Image: DW/B. Darame

Ghanian president John Mahama has demanded the country's players "die a little bit" in order to achieve World Cup success in Brazil.

Mahama also warned Ghana's group stage opponents - Germany, USA, and Portugal - to fear the Black Stars. The West Africans have qualified for their third World Cup in Brazil and look one of the strongest contenders to break the continent's duck at the tournament.

Four years ago, Ghana reached the quarterfinals in South Africa, becoming only the third African country to ever reach the last eight. Their tournament ended after a controversial defeat to Uruguay, where Luis Suarez's deliberate handball in extra-time overshadowed the ensuing penalty shootout drama.

President Mahama was addressing Kwesi Appiah's World Cup squad at a state dinner in the capital to mark their farewell.

"We expect that you die a little bit for your country," Mahama said.

"We expect and pray that for the first time in our history Ghana wins the World Cup."

"We have to believe that this is possible. We respect our opponents but we do not fear them."

Ghana booked their place at the finals with a two-legged win over Egypt, including a historic 6-1 win in Kumasi against Bob Bradley's side.

Asamoah Gyan, the Al-Ain striker, has continued his solid international scoring record and can now boast 39 goals in 77 games - 11 of which came in the 2013 calendar year. Gyan, a former Sunderland player, is only one goal away from breaking the country's all-time scoring record.

Asamoah Gyan nets for Ghana in 2010 versus Serbia
Asamoah Gyan nets for Ghana in 2010 versus SerbiaImage: AP

President Mahama called upon Ghana's World Cup rivals to worry more about the Black Stars than about their respective talents.

"We respect the reputation of the US, Portugal and Germany but let me assure you that they should pay more attention to our reputation," he added.

Appiah is still without Kevin-Prince Boateng and Michael Essien. The pair will complete the 26-man squad when they meet up with the group next week.

Ghana will play Netherlands in a warm-up match at the end of May, before heading to the United States for another friendly against South Korea.

dr/jh (DPA)