I skipped school to see USA 94 -Paintsil

JOHN PANTSIL'S World Cup dream began by bunking off school. The Fulham full-back starred for Ghana at Germany 2006 and should pick up his 56th cap against Serbia on Sunday.

But back in 1994, in Pantsil's home town of Berekum, it was a very different story for a little boy who ought to have been sitting at his desk.

Pantsil, who will be 29 on Tuesday, explained: "I was at school and used to run away to go and watch the World Cup.

"I wasn't allowed but I was in love with football. I wanted to play football in the future, so yeah - that's it.

"I don't remember the exact game that I first watched, but it was in the USA and I saw the big crowds, the big stadiums and the good pitches, and I heard about good players and the good goalkeepers.

"My dream was to come up and become like one of them and to play on the big stage for people to see me. So dreams do come true."

Germany, Serbia and Australia await a Ghana team far better prepared for the big stage this time than they were at Germany 2006.

Then they made it through to the last 16 only to draw Brazil and lose 3-0. What went wrong? Pantsil said: "Inexperience killed the team. Brazil were a world-class team, they've won the World Cup for so many years and it was our first experience of playing in the World Cup.

"They were relaxed and kept the ball, and one pass beat all our defenders. They got an early goal, then a second...

"But it did mean we gained experience and we know what we're going to do this time.

"We're happy with the performance we put up in the African Nations Cup earlier this year when we reached the final.

"That will lead us to the World Cup in good stead."

Pantsil is also delighted to be playing in Africa.

He is convinced this will help Ghana and is also sure an African team can actually lift the World Cup for the first time.

He said: "Yes, it will help us but still there will be more pressure because we are hosting and Africans are expecting more from us.

"But we are determined to do that and do well - not only Ghana but all the African countries who have qualified. Advertisement

"In the World Cup anything can happen. But we are hosting it in Africa so I am expecting an African nation to win the cup.

"I don't think any Europeans, or Brazil or Spain have a chance to win. We, the Africans want to win the cup."

That confidence is strengthened by the partisan support for hosts South Africa, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Algeria.

Pantsil said: "The crowds are amazing. When you start playing and the horns start you know what you have to do.

"The noise makes me play better and puts me on my toes. I don't lose concentration, it's like my confidence will boost up.

"It's a big achievement for the African continent and the World Cup is going to bring all the Africans together to support each other.

"It doesn't matter if your country is not going to play - it's in Africa, hosting the World Cup for the first time.

"All African countries are waiting for the D-Day to come up because it's going to bring us together. The unity will bring joy to all Africans."