With the failure of South Africa qualifying for the World Cup, most eyes in the country will be fixed on the Ghanaian national team. The Black Stars beat Bafana Bafana in the qualifiers, and former Ghanaian international, John Paintsil, who played for Maritzburg United in the PSL and Fulham in the EPL, believes they are going to Qatar to compete.
In an interview with Power FM, Paintsil was not willing to budge on his prediction that Ghana won’t lose a match at the tournament, with most predicting a 1st round exit.
“Ghana will not be the 1st team to go out. We are going to turn the tables and do well. We will push harder.”
Pitted against difficult opponents in Portugal, South Korea and their arch nemesis, Uruguay in group H, the moment presents an opportunity for the team to avenge what happened at the 2010 World Cup. The former Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach highlights how the team’s ambition on the biggest stage, is far greater than just settling scores.
“When it comes to Uruguay and Ghana there’s history. However, we are in a group that will bring the best out of our players. I believe the team is ready. We are planning to play 7 matches,” Paintsil continued.
“In 2010 we were young and experienced. The current team is inexperienced, but we have players like Daniel Amartey of Leicester City doing very well.”
Paintsil continued to make another big call, when he said the current Ghanaian team will win the Afcon.
“You have younger ones who will blend in the team, giving this current squad a chance to play together. We will push harder and the same squad will win the Cup of Nations.”
Ghana will play their opening match against Christiano Ronaldo’s team on Thursday at Stadium 974 (Rass Abou Aboud).
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