2022 World Cup: Let's focus on amassing the points than seeking revenge against Uruguay - Black Stars captain Andre Ayew

Andre Ayew has called on his Black Stars teammates not to seek revenge against Uruguay but rather focused on winning games.

Despite Spain beating the Netherlands to annex the trophy, the Ghana and the Uruguay quarterfinals games dominated the international media.

Former Liverpool and Barcelona forward, Luis Suarez prevented Dominic Adiyah's goal-bound header with his hands.

Ghana's chance of playing in the semifinals for the first time was blown away after Asamoah Gyan failed to convert a spot kick in the last minute of the game.

The Black Stars subsequently lost 4-2 on penalty shoots after 120 minutes of action.

However, ahead of the 2022 Mundial in Qatar, Ghana, who are four times African champions have been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.

With several Ghanaian football fans seeking revenge against the South Americans, the Al Sadd forward has urged his Black Stars playing mates to stay focused ahead of the global showpiece instead of seeking revenge.

“As a team leader, I don’t believe we should view this game as revenge. Instead, we must be smart enough to recognize that it is a match we need points from. We can’t ignore history, but what Luis Suarez [Uruguay footballer] did is something I could have done in the same situation [used his hand to stop a goal-bound shot in 2010]. It hurt us all. But that’s part of football and it happened years ago,” the Black Stars skipper told Al Jazeera.

“We just want to win against Uruguay after everything that has been said in the media. As a player, if you go into a game with the intent of retaliation, you can make a lot of mistakes and be hyper. We just need to stay calm, follow the plan, and try to win the game, or do whatever we can to advance to the next stage.”

Ghana will open its campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Ghana will wrap up its group stage adventure with its much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.