Former Ghana Black Stars full back, John Paintsil has stated that Ghana would have been the first African country to win the World Cup should the Black Stars have qualified to the 2018 mundial in Russia.
Ghana failed to make it to the mundial for the first time since the four time African Champions made her debut in 2006.
READ ALSO:Michael Essien retires from Black Stars
Speaking to Nana Prempeh (British Man), host of Celebrity Sports Talk on Accra-based Power 97.9FM, on Friday, the ex-Ghana international said Black Stars could have lifted the trophy if football matters were handled well in the country prior to the tournament.“…If we had gone, we would’ve brought the cup home, that’s how I see it,”Explaining further, Paintsil observed that “the more you play the football, the more you become experienced. It’s not about old players taking part. Ghana has been there (World Cup tournament) in 2006, 2010 and 2014. In 2006 we were eliminated at the 1/16 stage, in 2010, we got to the quarter finals stage, and in 2014 we could have got the semifinals stage.”
READ ALSO:List of Ghanaian players who featured for Fenerbahce
However, he did say there are so many things that should be rectified in order for Ghana to progress in football on the continent.
John Paintsil played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup for the Ghana Black Stars.