"Pele had Ghana in mind!" - Dream of the World Cup trophy as the Black Stars prepare for Ronaldo and company

Pelé "had Ghana in mind" when he predicted that an African team would eventually win the World Cup, the country's president said on Friday.

As the Black Stars depart for Qatar, hopes are high at home that the 2010 quarter-finalists can have another strong tournament.

Brazilian great Pelé predicted in the 1970s that an African team would win the biggest footballing world title before the end of the century.

That has not materialized and Africa has yet to produce a World Cup semi-finalist. Few would expect that to change at Qatar 2022, and Ghana enter the tournament as long shots.

Otto Addo's team opener will be on November 24 against Portugal, who are expected to feature superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks.

President Nana Akufo-Addo said: "A long time ago, the greatest footballer who ever lived, the Brazilian Pelé, said that very soon an African country will lift this trophy, and I know that he had Ghana in mind. .

"Let's all rally together around the young men and the team and make sure we give them our maximum support.

“They will go far in Doha and Qatar, but they should know the whole nation regardless of politics, religion or ethnicity; the whole Ghanaian nation is 100% solidly behind them.”

>

Ghana will also face South Korea and Uruguay in Group H, and the Professional Footballers' Association of Ghana (PFAG) has challenged the team to "hoist the flag of Ghana even higher on the ultimate stage in world football”.

"As the mother of all professional footballers in the country, PFAG expects a great performance from our valiant warriors to make all Ghanaians proud," the association said in a statement.

"We wish the player's body the best as he straps on his boots to battle it out on the world stage.

"At the technical bench, we urge you to continue to give your best and spare no effort to chart our assured paths to victory.

"Finally, to all the teeming and passionate fans of the Black Stars, we ask you to enjoin us in fervent prayer and resounding support for our Stars!

"Let's sing and sing with one voice to push our team past all odds in their quest to shine in Qatar!"