Former Fulham Defender John Paintsil Believes Ghana Will Reach World Cup Final in Qatar

• Former Ghana defender John Paintsil has predicted an appearance in the final for the Black Stars at Qatar 2022
• The former Fulham and West Ham defender was a member of the Black Stars team that reached the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup
• The Black Stars have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay at the 2022 World Cup

John Paintsil has boldly predicted that Ghana will reach the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The former Ghana international believes the current Black Stars team is strong enough to compete for the ultimate prize.

The Black Stars are making a return to the Mundial after edging out Nigeria in the play-offs in March this year.

The four-time African champions have been drawn against Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay in Group H, but Paintsil is unfazed by the quality of Ghana's opponents.

Ghana set up clash against DR Congo in AFCON U23 qualifiers after eliminating Mozambique

Football

“Ghana is experienced at the World Cup now and I believe we [Ghana] will reach the final. I believe it from the bottom of my heart,” he told Joy Sports.

The Black Stars head to the World Cup as the lowest ranked nation and were unconvincing in their friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua in September.

Head coach Otto Addo is yet to release his squad for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Paintsil was a member of the Black Stars team that reached the last eight of the 2010 World Cup in Qatar. He also played in Ghana's maiden World Cup appearance in Germany.

After the 2006 World Cup, he earned a move to England, where he played for West Ham, Fulham and Leicester City.

Real Madrid star Federico Valverde opens up on Ghana challenge in tough Group H ahead of World Cup

Football

Paintsil names Annan 'Ghana's best'

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a member of Ghana's team that reached the finals of the 2010 AFCON and the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, John Paintsil has revealed why Milovan Rajevac was successful in his first stint in charge of the Black Stars.

The Serbian trainer is under pressure to replicate that success, after a defeat and a loss at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

According to John Paintsil, Rajevac's outstanding 2010 team was built on the influential role played by petite midfielder Anthony Annan.