John Paintsil believes tactical discipline will be key to Ghana’s AFCON success

Former Black Stars defender John Paintsil believes tactical discipline will be key if Ghana are to annex the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The four-time winners are in Group F alongside defending champions Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau.

Speaking ahead of Ghana’s opening game against the Squirrels at the Ismaily Stadium on Tuesday, the former Fulham right-back urged the players to always stick to coach Kwesi Appiah plan.

“I think with determination, hard work, confidence, teamwork, respect, the coach being there for the players and players being there for the coach, [the team will be successful],” said Paintsil to TV3.

“In terms of discipline [on the pitch], it means keeping their positions right, those who need to recover should recover, the team shape must be accurate; not left-wing going [forward and] left-back [also] going.

“If the coach asks them to keep shape, they must keep a shape – they understand these terms.

“So with all these, everything will come right with them but if they lose focus, if they lose discipline on the field, they can get punished.”