Ghana have been awarded FIFA's annual "Best Mover of the Year" award following their spectacular rise through the FIFA rankings.

The Black Stars, who qualified for their first World Cup two months ago, moved up 27 places to finish 2005 in 50th position. Their almost continual rise through the rankings gained them 80 points over the past year in the ranking system.

They will be presented with the award at the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich later today.

"To be given this award by FIFA is a great joy for the people of Ghana," Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah told the BBC on Monday.

"This award is a big encouragement for us to work harder at next year's African Nations Cup and the World Cup."

"We thank our coach who has been very instrumental in our successes this year by bringing the much-needed discipline into the squad," Appiah said.

The Black Stars, coached by their Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic, have had a stunning year, qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time in their history, beating off such competition as South Africa and DR Congo on their way to qualification.

Ghana also showed one of the meanest defences throughout the African qualifying Zones, conceding just four goals in their 12 qualifying matches.

They recorded five wins, including a 2-0 win over African heavyweights, and group favourites, South Africa in Johannesburg, with three draws and without defeat in any matches that would affect their points in FIFA's world rankings.

Also worthy of note is their creditable performance in a friendly against African giants and former World Cup quarter-finalists, Senegal, which ended in a goalless draw.

At the time, Senegal’s Teranga Lions were ranked 30 places ahead of Dujkovic’s Black Stars in the FIFA World Rankings.

Ghana capped off a wonderful year with a 3-2 defeat of fellow World Cup qualifiers, Saudi Arabia in an International friendly in Riyadh.

FIFA's other team award went to Brazil, who topped the rankings throughout the year.

The reigning world champions have been named the Team of the Year, having been defeated only twice in 2005.

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