Former Ghana star John Paintsil believes that the ‘smaller’ nations in Africa are closing the gap on their bigger, more resourced neighbours.

The Maritzburg United centre back, capped 88 times at international level, was responding to questions over Bafana Bafana’s 3-1 loss to Mauritania in their recent 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

“Now football is growing in every country and every country is trying to build their players. There is the World Cup and every country wants to be there because they know what the World Cup can do in their country,” said Paintsil.

“And also the Africa Cup of Nations is where you have to start.

“Going to countries like Mauritania and Rwanda … it’s always boosts the morale of the teams who are lower in world football because they will go all out – they’ve got nothing to lose.

“Such teams are difficult. Nowadays whether you are Ghana, Nigeria or South Africa … every game you play you have to take seriously.”

Paintsil will be looking to make his first appearance of the PSL season after securing his work permit against Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday.