Ghana has completed the first phase of the qualifiers for the 2010 African Nations Cup and World Cup on top of the Group 5 standings.

But that did not come easy after players of the Black Stars had to endure a busy four-game schedule in the month of June coming just after a long season with their various clubs.

The Black Stars defeated Gabon 2-0 at the Ohene Djan Stadium last Sunday to bag nine out of twelve points in four qualifying matches and regain top position in Group 5 of the qualifying campaign.

Ghana full-back John Paintsil, one of the most consistent players of the Black Stars says despite the exhausting qualifiers they (players) feel proud to pull on the national shirt and do a job for the nation.

“There’s been little time to rest but it’s part of the job. We believe in the nation and we know what the nation has done for us.

“So when wearing the national shirt, we don’t think about it (tiredness) because when we are with our clubs, definitely, we would play and our nation is more important.

“I don’t think we have to be thinking about tiredness or any other thing. We just want to reach the World Cup again,” the Ghana international said.

Ghana would resume the qualifiers in September with two games remaining in Group 5. The Black Stars would be away to Libya in Tripoli before rounding up the group qualifiers with a home fixture against Lesotho in October.

Meanwhile, the Ghana defender says he is eager to tie down a regular place in the West Ham team as he prepares to head for pre-season training.

Paintsil has managed 24 appearances for West Ham, 15 of them as a substitute since his move there after the 2006 World Cup but is convinced he is still part of Alan Curbishley’s plans for next season.

“I spoke to manager recently and he said I am not on the transfer list,” he said.

“So I will travel with the squad for pre-season training in America next week.”

Despite his zeal to stake a claim in Curbishley’s side, Paintsil says he is not short of options.

“A lot of clubs have made enquiries but I have not heard anything concrete yet,” he said.