Former Ghanaian defender John Paintsil has stressed the significance of thorough preparations, solid arrangements, and a strong desire for victory if the Black Stars are to secure a triumph in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year.
The Black Stars clinched their qualification for Ivory Coast's AFCON tournament with a 2-1 victory over the Central African Republic on Thursday.
Paintsil acknowledged the evolving nature of football and how many countries have improved their performance over the years. However, he expressed confidence in Ghana's potential to end their 41-year AFCON trophy drought if the team's preparation and the players' mindset are in the right place.
"Football is dynamic, and many countries have improved. It all comes down to preparations, arrangements, and how much you want it. We have a fantastic team of players playing for big teams in Europe. The boys are pushing, and with time, they will win trophies for us," Paintsil stated as quoted by GSN.
While recognizing the formidable challenge of winning the AFCON, Paintsil remained optimistic about Ghana's prospects. He stressed the importance of instilling a winning mentality in the players and taking a step-by-step approach.
"Ghana can win the AFCON, but other teams are also pushing. It's a tough challenge, but if we do things well and prepare the mindset of the players, we can win it. The players must have a WINNING mentality because, without it, they will not be able to win it. We take a step at a time, and I believe that we are too close to winning it," he added.
