Ghana to keep their focus in World Cup qualifiers

Ghana will keep their focus and blank any off-field decisions in the qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after a ruling gave rivals, Zambia an upper hand in Group D.

FIFA confirmed that Sudan, who fielded a suspended player in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Zambia have had the result overturned.

The decision means that Zambia, who have never qualified for the World Cup have been awarded a 3-0 win and thus go top of the group with six points from two games.

But Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi says the Black Stars will not drawn into such distractions as the race hots up for a place in Brazil 2014 when the qualifiers resumes next year.

“We will not want to be distracted by this decision. We will not want to be influenced negatively by this decision,” Nyantakyi said.

“We want to remain as focus as ever and try to win all the games ahead of us. We win all our matches and then we are on top of our group with good scoreline.”

Kwesi Nyantakyi accepts that it's a huge challenge for the Black Stars but explains that Ghana have their work cut out in their quest for a third appearance at the World Cup.

“That notwithstanding we’ve discussed and explained to the players that we must just go ahead and win our games.

“They must all redouble their efforts. They have to tune their minds and build their psyche stronger than before because the obstacles ahead are now going to be more difficult than we previously knew.”