Paintsil: No pressure on Black Stars

Experienced defender, John Paintsil insists that players and officials of the national team are not under any pressure whatsoever going into the 29th Africa Cup of Nations even though an entire nation expect nothing than the ultimate.

The 31 year old former Fulham ace is adamant that every one of the 15 other national teams competing in the January 19 to February 10 spectacle are also there aspiring for the Africa Cup as does the Ghana Black Stars.

Rather than despair and fear, Paintsil is calling on his countrymen to steadfastly believe and support the team with all their will for the 23 players to defend the red, gold and green flag of Ghana beginning with a mouthwatering clash against a rejuvenated DR Congo in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

“There is always pressure in football so to me, it doesn’t exist because it’s the same situation for every team. They must win and everybody will be highly disappointed if they lose so no team is different in the circumstance. We also know the situation on the ground and we have prepared very well, we are ready to battle for Ghana with only the trophy on our mind,” Paintsil told 90 MINUTES exclusively.

The now Israeli-based veteran of two FIFA World Cups and 5 Africa Cups added a plea to Ghanaians: “The trophy is our only target. It won’t be easy but I can tell you that all the players are happy and excited to work for the nation.

“I want to tell Ghanaians that we need their love, belief, prayers and full support and we promise to bring the cup home,” Paintsil added.