John Paintsil challenging for the ball in the 2-2 draw against the DRC

By Ameenu Shardow

Defender John Paintsil concedes Ghana should have never surrendered a two goal lead against DR Congo.

The Black Stars looked well on their way to picking the first win at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations when they took a comfortable two-goal lead against the Leopards on Sunday.

The team however capitulated and threw away the lead to share the spoils with the DRC.

The disappointing result has awaken the side’s critics with many who even tipped the Black Stars as one of the favourites to win the competition in South Africa now harbouring doubts.

And the experienced right-back who played a part in the opening Group B fixture admits throwing away such a lead should have never happened.

“It is a big disappointment because we took the lead 2-0, a team like us, it should have never happened but this is football and this is what football can do to you,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“But some of us who understand football know this is the game.

“That doesn’t mean we are going to let everything walk on us, since we want to win and be on top of the group, we will make sure we deliver.

“We have a few days to get ourselves together and make sure we focus on getting the three points against Mali.”

Ghana will now have to pick and dust themselves off this disappointment to get a needed result in the second game against current group leaders Mali on Thursday.

The Black Stars hope to end a staggering 31-year for an African title this term in South Africa but failed to get the flying start they wanted against DR Congo.