Headline sponsor of the Black Stars, Gold Fields Ghana has congratulated the team for a making a strong start to the 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana reclaimed the top spot in Group 5 in the African zone qualifiers on Sunday after beating Gabon 2-0 at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

The victory sees the Black Stars move to the summit of the table by a superior goal difference over Libya but level on points with Ghana.

Gold Fields Ghana, who contributed to Ghana’s qualification for a debut World Cup finals at the 2006 edition hosted by Germany are convinced the good start by the Black Stars would see them make it a second successive appearance at the 2010 World Cup, the first FIFA World Cup to take place in Africa.

Johan Botha, managing director of Gold Fields Ghana Limited in a statement says the mining company joins all Ghanaian football fans to applaud the Stars the victory against the Gabonese last Sunday.

“We witnessed a splendid performance of the Stars on Sunday. There is indeed more football in these lads I am sure they will continue to demonstrate this as the tournament progresses. I doff my hat to them,” the statement read.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at Gold Fields Dr Tony Aubynn added that: "With the thrills and passion of the 2006 World Cup in Germany serving as a reminder of what glories lie ahead in South Africa, the Black Stars will demonstrate the sterling and competitive qualities of the Ghanaian as ‘The Black Star of Africa’ I thought the Stars could have been four goals up but for some questionable refereeing decisions on the pitch. All the same, the Stars delivered and continued to live the dream of playing in Angola and South Africa in 2010.”

Ahead of the start of the qualification series, Gold Fields Ghana Limited made a cash injection of $500,000 to the team out of the new enhanced three-year sponsorship package of $3.7m.