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Ghana must look past their clash against Uruguay to progress from the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to former international John Paintsil.

Defender Paintsil was part of the Black Stars side beaten on penalties by the South Americans in the quarter-finals of the 2010 tournament.

The match famously saw Uruguay forward Luis Suarez sent off at the end of the second half of extra-time after a handball on the goal line, with Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan then missing a spot-kick which would have made the West Africans the continent's first World Cup semi-finalists.

After Friday's draw, Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku declared "it will be revenge time" when the two sides meet again later this year.

"The game that is going to be mouth-watering and that people will be looking forward to is Uruguay-Ghana, because of the incident that happened in 2010 in South Africa," Paintsil, 40, told BBC Sport Africa.

"As football people we don't think about revenge - but we always thought about how we can go forward.

"At the end of the day, it is not only Uruguay that we will play in the group. If you beat Uruguay but don't beat the rest, it will be a problem."

• 'Revenge time' as Ghana get Uruguay in World Cup
• Ghana 'cannot forgive' Suarez handball 10 years on

Ghana will face Portugal, who beat Ghana 2-1 in the group stages on their last appearance at the tournament in 2014, and South Korea in Group H in Qatar before their anticipated re-match with two-time World Cup winners Uruguay.

Former Fulham defender Paintsil believes the group facing Ghana is "very, very tricky".

"I would call it a group of death," he added.

"Seeing Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea... they area all strong sides. We are going to take one [game] at a time and take it as it comes.

"We are not just going to say 'because we are in a group with Uruguay, we will put all our strength on them'. We need to put all our strength on all the teams that we are going to play so we can come out of the group successfully."

However, having beaten fierce rivals Nigeria on away goals to qualify for the finals, Paintsil is hopeful Ghana can reach the knock-out stages for the third time.

"I believe our current squad is a very balanced one, with youth and experience," he said.

"The two matches they played against Nigeria gave all of us hope that they can go further. We trust that they will do it."

Ghana 'have great players' says Portugal boss

Portugal coach Fernando Santos says he will have to do his homework on Ghana before facing the West Africans in their opening game at the tournament on 24 November.

"We see certain competitions and tournaments less in Europe," Santos told BBC Sport Africa. "That's the reality, so we really have to analyse Ghana now.

"They have great players, a lot of them play in Europe. It's one thing to have great players playing in Europe, but you need to have a collective. You can have one or two players here and there, but it needs to be a team."

However, the veteran coach, who took charge of Portugal after the 2014 World Cup and led the side to 2016 European Championship glory, believes Group H is "open".

"It is difficult to make an assessment," the 67-year-old said.

"It's four continents and four completely different styles. I don't really know how to assess it clearly because it's different styles, different cultures, and different forms of play.

"However, the opening matches are going to be decisive.

"If it comes to points on the ranking, clearly Portugal is ahead. In 2002, Korea eliminated Portugal. Obviously, Portugal is a candidate to progress from the group."

Source: BBC

Former Manchester City and Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes will take a role at world football's governing body Fifa to help develop the game in Africa.

Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Fernandes will become director of member associations of Africa on 1 August.

The 35-year-old will be tasked with strengthening the development of African associations through Fifa's Forward Programme.

The scheme aims to provide countries with "tailor-made support" via investment in operational costs, construction of facilities and other projects.

"It's a big honour and I'm very proud to join Fifa," Fernandes said.

"I am an African and if you get an offer like this, you must do it because it is a way of giving something back to Africa as an African.

"I see it as my obligation to work for Africa and its football. This mission that I will start in August includes all aspects around my roots and this continent, showing my gratitude and support and giving my all for African football."

Fernandes, who holds the position of vice-president at Swiss club FC Sion, scored two goals in 67 international appearances.

He will take on the role previously held by Swiss-Congolese Veron Mosengo-Omba, who is now general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Fernandes, who also had spells in Switzerland, France, Italy, Portugal and Germany during his playing career, is ready to tackle the challenge of raising standards in Africa.

"We will look for solutions to constantly improve the situation," he said.

"Everybody has to be involved. This continent has incredible potential. I come from this continent; I am one of the many stories of this continent.

"Football can change the lives of so many people. Football can do so much; it has a lot of power. I will give everything with all my heart. It's a great challenge and one that I am proud to accept."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he was "delighted" to welcome Fernandes to the Zurich-based organisation.

"Gelson had a fantastic career as a footballer, and the experience he gained will be important to carry out his tasks to the best of his ability," Infantino added.

"I have no doubt that Gelson will do some excellent work for us."

Source: BBC

Ghana are out for "revenge" after being drawn with Uruguay in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup.

Their encounter in Group H, where the Black Stars will also face Portugal and South Korea, will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.

Ghana were eliminated by Uruguay on penalties in South Africa, having seen Asamoah Gyan miss an extra-time spot-kick after Luis Suarez was sent off for handball.

"We believe that it will be revenge time," Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku told BBC Sport Africa.

"We thought we had clearly won that particular game but for that save from Suarez. It is very interesting for us to pitch against them again, obviously with fond memories [this time].

"It is important that we all set the record straight."

• Ghana 'cannot forgive' Suarez handball 10 years on
• Relive the 2022 World Cup draw and follow reaction

Striker Suarez, now 35 and at Atletico Madrid after stints with Liverpool and Barcelona, is still playing for two-time World Cup winners Uruguay, but Ghana are unlikely to have any survivors from their side from 12 years ago.

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Elsewhere in Friday's draw, Tunisia were paired with defending champions France and Cameroon were put into the same group as five-time winners Brazil.

Africa Cup of Nations holders Senegal will take on hosts Qatar and Morocco are in the same group as Belgium, who are second in the world rankings.

The Fifa World Cup takes place between 21 November and 18 December.

Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010.

Who will the African sides face?

Senegal have been Africa's top-ranked side for the past three years and won the Nations Cup for the first time in January.

The Teranga Lions are in Group A, and will face three-time runners-up the Netherlands in their first game before clashes against Qatar and Ecuador.

Morocco will open up against 2018 runners-up Croatia in Group F and have also been drawn with Belgium and Canada, who have qualified for the first time since 1986.

Tunisia have been drawn with defending champions France in Group D.

The Carthage Eagles will start their campaign against Denmark, and will also face the winner of an intercontinental play-off - which will be either Peru, Australia or the United Arab Emirates.

Cameroon, who are in Group G, have met Brazil twice in previous tournaments, losing 3-0 to the South Americans in 1994 and 4-1 in 2014.

The Indomitable Lions, have qualified for an African record-extending eighth World Cup finals, have also been drawn with Serbia and Switzerland, who they will face first.

Ghana, returning to the tournament after missing out on Russia 2018, take on Portugal in their first game in Group H.

The Black Stars, who at 60th in the world could be the lowest-ranked nation at the tournament, have also been paired with South Korea as well as the Uruguayans.

Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty against Uruguay which would have made Ghana Africa's first-ever World Cup semi-finalists in 2010

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Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic: "Croatia are World Cup runners-up, Belgium are second in the rankings but what can one do?

"It's a difficult group but I know the World Cup a little, and everything is possible. I took Algeria to the second round in 2014, even almost winning against Germany, why not repeat the same with Morocco?"

Former Nigeria striker Efan Ekoku: "Senegal have been the best team on the continent for the last four or five years.

"They are really one of the best African teams, collectively, that I have seen. Sadio Mane is fantastic up front form the left side They have a top-class keeper [Edouard Mendy], have a superb centre-half in Kalidou Koulibaly and a in midfield they are strong.

"They are a team to be feared. I am hoping and expecting that they can wave the Africana flag high and proud. I am hope they can go to at least the quarter-finals."

Meanwhile, Ghana striker Felix Afena-Gyan tweeted one word: "Believe".

Source: BBC

Mane has now scored the winner in successive penalty shootouts against Egypt

Sadio Mane scored the winning penalty in a shootout to send Senegal to the 2022 World Cup after Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah missed his spot-kick for Egypt.

In a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations final, Senegal were left jubilant at the final whistle after winning on penalties, with Egypt's players disconsolate and Salah - one of the world's best players - left contemplating his absence from November's tournament in Qatar.

The second leg of the play-off tie in Senegal's new 50,000-seater stadium finished 1-0 to the hosts and 1-1 on aggregate after extra time, sending the game to a tense and dramatic shootout.

Mane had netted the penalty which won the Nations Cup and the Reds forward notched the decisive spot-kick once again after keeper Edouard Mendy had given Senegal an advantage by saving from Mostafa Mohamed at 2-1.

Egypt captain Salah was one of four players to miss the first four penalties of a shootout marked by a vast number of green laser pointers directed at the visiting players and goalkeeper.

Salah was one of several players targeted by laser pens shone form the crowd as he prepared to take his penalty

Senegal's Boulaye Dia was the scorer of the only goal in normal time - notching after just four minutes with a shot that hit the body of Pharaohs defender Hamdi Fathi.

Elsewhere in Africa's World Cup play-offs, Ghana, Tunisia, Morocco and Cameroon also clinched qualification - with Nigeria, Mali, DR Congo and Algeria all eliminated.

• Relive Africa's World Cup play-offs as they happened

It is the second time in six weeks that Senegal have beaten Egypt on penalties to a major prize.

In February it was the Nations Cup final in Cameroon. There, two Egyptian misses meant their goalscoring icon Salah did not even get the chance to take one.

This time around they made sure he went first - and with an eye on securing a crucial early advantage following Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly hitting the bar with the first effort of the shootout.

But Salah could do no better. Indeed he did worse, his shot going nowhere near Mendy's goal as it sailed over the bar.

Neither Ciss nor Zizo could score either and it seemed clear the raft of laser pointers being directed at players from both sides - which had increased in intensity as the match drew to a close - were having an effect.

Ismaila Sarr did finally find the net, but that was matched by Amr El Soleya. Bamba Dieng then struck confidently to put the Teranga Lions ahead, but when Mostafa attempted to reply for Egypt, Mendy saved well and put Senegal in command.

It was a situation Mane took full advantage of, blasting his effort down the middle and sparking scenes of celebration.

That the game would be settled on penalties was not the obvious conclusion given the scoreline.

Dia's deflected strike was a strange repeat of the one that had given Egypt victory in the first leg in Cairo - in the same minute.

It came after Egypt failed to defend a dangerous free-kick. Dia pounced on a headed clearance to shoot, but Fathi challenged at the same time and the ball went under visiting keeper Mohammed El Shenawy.

In Senegal's brand new home, which unlike most major African stadiums has no running track and created a more intense atmosphere, the roof nearly came off.

Egypt offered little throughout, sticking to a gameplan of maintaining a tight defence and breaking down any Senegal attacks with heavily contested challenges,

But the hosts had two great chances - both of which fell to Sarr - to seal the success, before penalties decided the outcome.

The first was on 82 minutes when he was put clean through, but El Shenawy made himself big to make sure Sarr's effort drifted wide.

Then, presented with most of the goal to aim at from a Mane cross in extra-time, the Watford man failed to connect properly and his effort spun into the body of El Shenawy.

Zizo lifted Egypt with a couple of mazy runs, but they seemed to play for penalties and ultimately paid the price.

Black Stars and Indomitable Lions among others to progress

Ghana were the first side to qualify after a 1-1 draw earlier on Tuesday saw the Black Stars overcome Nigeria on away goals in Abuja.

Thomas Partey's opener for the visitors was cancelled out by William Troost-Ekong's penalty, and Super Eagles fans reacted angrily at full-time after their side were knocked out, showering the Ghana players and staff with missiles.

Cameroon clinched an eighth World Cup qualification - a record for an African side - following a dramatic finale in Algeria.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Karl Toko-Ekambi's first-half goal sent the game to extra time.

Algeria looked to have won it courtesy of Ahmed Touba's 118th-minute header, but Toko-Ekambi struck again in the fourth minute of added time to stun the home crowd in Blida and win the tie on away goals.

Tunisia made it back-to-back World Cup appearances after a goalless draw in Tunis saw off Mali 1-0 on aggregate, while Morocco had a comparatively comfortable evening as a 4-1 home win over DR Congo secured a 5-2 triumph over the two legs.

Two goals from Azzedine Ounahi and one each from Tarik Tissoudali and Achraf Hakimi saw the Atlas Lions book their sixth trip to the finals.

The African quintet now await Friday's group-stage draw to discover who they will face in Qatar.

Source: BBC