Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah believes the Black Stars can reach the last four at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.<\/p>\n
In 2010 they narrowly failed to become Africa’s first semi-finalists when they lost on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals, having missed a spot-kick in the last moments of extra-time.<\/p>\n
“I think we will do better than we did last time,” Mensah told BBC Sport.<\/p>\n
“If we can stick together and take it it game by game, I believe we can stun the world in Brazil.”<\/p>\n
Ghana have possibly the toughest draw of all the African sides at the finals, drawn in Group G with Germany, Portugal and United States.<\/p>\n
But the 23-year-old Mensah insists the four-time African champions are well equipped to make history.<\/p>\n
“The best mentality going into any tournament is that you can achieve bigger things. You don’t go there limiting yourself because some people think it’s impossible,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We still have the same experienced players with a blend of committed younger players and everyone has improved in all aspect of the game.<\/p>\n
“The team has also improved physically, psychologically and mentally. We can only set the bar higher this time, so without sounding too arrogant or disrespectful I think we can do better than we did in South Africa.”<\/p>\n
The Black Stars will open their campaign against the USA on 16 June, then play Germany and finish their group fixtures against Portugal. A bad start would heap the pressure on Ghana and some critics have suggested they may not be up to the task.<\/p>\n
Mensah, who played in two group stage games and in the round of 16 win against United States at the 2010 event, insists they will give their answer on the pitch.<\/p>\n
“As a professional footballer you don’t allow what people say get to you because they said similar things about Ghana in 2006 and 2010,” Mensah said.<\/p>\n
“With teamwork, our blend of youth and experience, new maturity, love and understanding, I think we can put Africa on the map in Brazil.”<\/p>\n
Mensah attributes his confidence to a strong work ethic and bond within the squad under coach Kwesi Appiah.<\/p>\n
“The players have big respect for the manager who always wants the team to get better every day,” said the Evian centre-back.<\/p>\n
“There’s also that bond within the squad. The senior players welcome young players like their own blood brothers.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t matter where you play or who you are and what you’ve achieved in football, everyone is just fighting for one cause, for the country and our passionate fans.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah believes the Black Stars can reach the last four at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. In 2010 they narrowly failed to become Africa’s first semi-finalists when they lost on penalties to Uruguay in the quarter-finals, having missed a spot-kick in the last moments of extra-time. “I think we will do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":20192,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[118,29,3,114,157],"yoast_head":"\n