20100629
africanews

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki expressed glee with the Ghanaian national team on its continuing success at the World Cup in South Africa as well as invited all across the African continent to throw their weight behind the lone African representative still in quest of the coveted trophy.

The Black Stars beat the United States in a Round of 16 match Saturday, June 26 and will face Uruguay in a quarterfinal on Friday, July 2 at the 46, 500 capacity Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. They are the only African team left in the tournament, which is taking place on African soil for the first time.

Ghana has already equaled Africa's best-ever World Cup performance. Cameroon and Senegal also reached the quarterfinals in 1990 and 2002, respectively.

"It is clear that the Black Stars will now have to discharge the highly honorable and well-deserved responsibility to represent Africa and the African Diaspora in the next stages of the World Cup," Mbeki said in a message sent to the Ghana Football Association.

"In this regard the Black Stars will remain true to the role that Ghana has played as an eminent leader of the peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora as they have worked to resolve the challenges we have had to confront. I am certain that these millions will now rally behind the Black Stars to guarantee that we cap the fact of the very successful hosting of the World Cup by Africa by ensuring that on behalf of the continent and the Diaspora, the Black Stars, now of Africa, win the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup," Ghana Football Association's website quoted the ex-President.

Mbeki served as South Africa's President from 1999 to 2008.