John Pantsil helped Ghana off to a flying start in their qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup with a rousing 3-0 home win against Libya on Sunday.
The Black Stars reached the second round of the 2006 finals in Germany and West Ham United full-back Pantsil is determined to help his country get to the 2010 edition in South Africa. He said: "It is an experience that changed the lives of many of us so naturally we want to do it all over again. It would be painful to have to watch it again on TV after being an integral part of it the last time round."
On Sunday, Ghana were comfortable winners through goals from Prince Tagoe, Junior Agogo and Laryea Kingston. Pantsil was directly involved in the second, crossing for Agogo to score with his head. Ghana have three more first group round matches to play in their African qualifying zone this month. Next up is a trip to play Lesotho in Johannesburg next weekend before away and home matches against Gabon on 14 and 22 June. Overall 20 teams will progress to the second group round, with the five group winners from that stage all going to South Africa.
Elsewhere in World Cup qualification action on Sunday, Lucas Neill, absent for family reasons, will have been delighted to see Australia keep their fine form going in the Asian zone with a 1-0 win against Iraq in Brisbane. The two nations will meet again for Iraq's 'home' fixture in Dubai next Saturday. Australia also have further qualifiers in Qatar on 14 June and at home against China in Sydney on 22 June.