Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif has praised the Black Stars after they secured a slot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday night.
Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria sealed qualification on the away goals rule which sparked celebrations across the country.
Mustapha Ussif, who was with the team at the airport when they arrived from Abuja, thanked the players and the technical team for the hard work they put in to ensure the Black Stars made it through to the fourth World Cup.
He insisted that he remained confident throughout that the Black Stars would pick up the result they needed in Abuja to qualify.
“Like I said in Kumasi, with the GFA President, we believed that we were going to make it in Nigeria and we have made it. For now, all we can say is to thank the entire country for the massive support we have received; from Bawku all the way to Accra and from Dambai all the way to Takoradi,” he told journalists at the airport.
“We thank the GFA for the wonderful work they have done from the beginning of the journey till now. We thank the technical team, those who started with us, and those who have ended it. We thank the playing body for this wonderful show of commitment and passion on the pitch They’ve made our country proud.”
Mustapha Ussif also highlighted the role of the President, Nana Akufo-Addo in the side’s qualification, applauding the support the Black Stars and the other national teams have received from the government.
“Let me also thank the President. This is a special birthday [gift] from the national team to the President. We couldn’t have celebrated his birthday any better. For the massive support that he’s given to the national teams,” he said.
“It’s as a result of the wonderful support from the President and the Finance Minister that is yielding dividends. The media has been so wonderful, keep up the good work. Let’s continue to work together and rally support behind the team.”