Stars must be ruthless on the pitch - Rawlings

Former President Rawlings is urging the Black Stars to be ruthless on the field of play during next summer’s World Cup.

Ghana qualified to her third successive World Cup after brushing aside the Pharaohs of Egypt by seven goals to three on aggregate.

They have been paired in group G alongside giants Germany, Portugal and old foes USA.

The ex-president, who expressed joy at the team’s qualification to the World Cup, has raised some concerns over the teams uninspiring performance in the second leg game against Egypt in Cairo.

President Rawlings told XYZ Sports that the Stars must master the Ghanaian sense of determination and courage during the competition in Brazil next year.

“I felt good when the Black Stars defeated Egypt in Kumasi but we went and lost when we went there,” President Rawlings told XYZ Sports.

“The performance in Egypt was not as good as the one in Kumasi and I think that it was because the team failed to master that Ghanaian sense of determination and courage,” Mr Rawlings continued.

“I am always pushed to remember Azumah Nelson when it comes to situations like this.

“He was so good to the extent that when the odds are against him that is when you get the best out of him.

“I would have given the Black Stars a better chance to be able to win the World Cup or come close to the title if the team had impressed me a little during the second leg game against Egypt.

“I know it’s going to be tough against these big boys in our Group but I think that with a little bit of determination and hard work we can do it, but the team must be ruthless on the pitch,” Mr. Rawlings concluded.

Ghana will kick start the World Cup competition with a game against the USA in Natal on June 16, before they take on Germany in Fortaleza five days later before the final Group G game against Portugal in Brasilia on June 26.