Ghana's Black Stars focused on Swaziland matchup

From ModernGhana.com

They know what is at stake and I’m happy they are not taking it for granted.

- Plavi


Goran Stevanovic, the coach of Ghana’s senior male football team, the Black Stars says he is happy that his players are focused on their match against Swaziland, their opponents for Friday’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

According to Coach Stevanovic the positive attitude from the players has cut out his job for him as he prepares the team for the qualifier before they leave for London to play Brazil in a mouth-watering international friendly on September 5.




“It is also a difficult task to psyche up the players to play a team they have already beaten 3-0 in the first leg. Thankfully, they know what is at stake and I’m happy they are not taking it for granted,” Stevanovic, nicknamed Plavi, told the Daily Graphic yesterday.

He was also happy with the work rate of the players, saying, from their attitude, ‘they remained focused on the Swaziland match and are not detracted by the international friendly against Brazil.”

“Playing Brazil is glamorous but the real deal is Friday’s game and that is what we are focusing on, getting all the three points,” he stressed.

Indeed, all his players agreed that they could not take Swaziland for granted despite the fact that the Swazis had nothing much at stake even if they won.

“We need the three points to consolidate our lead at the top while Swaziland know they can not qualify even if they win but definitely, they will try to be party spoilers but we will not allow them to ruin our celebration,” John Paintsil, said.

Almost all the players invited for the match have reported to camp and had their first training session last Monday. Yesterday, they held their first training under floodlights as Friday’s game will be played in the evening.

The players in camp include Richard Kingson and Ernest Sowah, both goalkeepers; Paintsil, Isaac Vorsah, Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan Mensah, Sulley Ali Muntari, Derek Boateng, Lee Addy and Daniel Opare.

Emmanuel Agyeman Badu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Rabiu Mohammed, Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah, debutant Albert Adomah and Nathaniel Asamoah all arrived last Monday while Rennes’ John Boye, who was called at 11th hour as substitute for injured captain John Mensah and goalkeeper Adam Larsen Kwarasey and the Ayew Brothers, Dede and Jordan, were expected last night.

African Mango - For Health and Weight-Loss

Mangoes from Africa boost health and vitality

From yahoo.com:

Goodbye, grapefruit diet. Hello, African mango?

Everyone’s looking for the magical weight-loss solution. Some claim they’ve found it in the African mango, the latest fruit fad to invade the weight-loss world. Its supplements have even been endorsed on The Dr. Oz show.

Dr. Tanya Edwards wrote on DoctorOz.com:

“Sounds like a magic bullet to me! I tried it myself, and lo and behold, in the first month of taking it (only once per day, mind you, instead of the recommended twice daily), I lost seven pounds without making any changes in my usual healthy diet and exercise routine!”

Africa’s “bush mango” boasts a special agent called IGOB131, a fat eliminator. Die-hard fans claim the fruit’s seeds contain a “’special fibre’ that binds to cholesterol and helps to eliminate unwanted fats from the body — thereby resulting in rapid weight loss.”

Some studies are backing up the weight-loss claims — and citing improved cholesterol and blood-sugar levels — but the researchers had “a vested interest in making the product,” making the results tough to take seriously.

Critics are rolling their eyes.

Fox News’ “medicine hunter” Chris Kilham points out fruit fibre and reduced cholesterol is a connection we’ve known about for ages. He would sooner recommend we enjoy healthy diets filled with a variety of vegetables and fruits — biting into succulent mangoes rather than popping extract supplements — than encourage us to give into the quick-fix promises of what he calls a “scam.”

Edwards, in a follow up to her “magic bullet” enthusiasm, conceded:

“The results have been slightly underwhelming. A few patients lost a few pounds, but it has not been the magic bullet I had hoped for. And with continued use, I have not lost any more weight.”

Fortunately, studies have shown no undesirable side effects.

Fibre is great for you. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on supplements, head to your local fruit stand and buy a real mango or two.


Info on Mangoes in Africa and around the world