2022 World Cup: Black Stars must not target beating only Uruguay – John Paintsil

Former Ghana defender, John Paintsil, has called on the Black Stars not to focus on beating only Uruguay in the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Ghana’s hopes of playing in the semifinals of the 2010 Mundial in South Africa was halted by Luis Suarez.

The former Liverpool and Barcelona forward blocked Dominc Adiyah’s goal bound header but Asamoah Gyan squandered a late penalty.

The South American progressed to the semis after winning the game on spot kicks after 120 minutes of football which left million of Ghanaians in tears.

However, the West African side have been paired with Uruguay in the group phase of the tournament scheduled to kick off this month.

Paintsil, who featured in the 2010 Mundial has urged the current playing body to focus on other opponents as well.

“It’s a game that anytime any Ghanaian remembers, it becomes a bit emotional,” the former West Ham and Fulham defender told Citi Sports.

“It was a game that denied us from playing in the semifinal even going to the final. I will urge my players, the Stars to take (the games) one at a time.

“It’s not only Uruguay that we are going to play in the group stage. Definitely, for Uruguay, we will beat them but they are not (the) only team we are targeting,” he added.

Ghana will open camp for the tournament on November 10 in Abu Dhabi and will take on Switzerland on November 17.

Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.