Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson is hoping the pressure of playing at home does not work against the Black Stars at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

The goalkeeper was between the posts for Ghana when the country co-hosted the event with Nigeria in 2000 and told KickOffGhana.com that he hopes the attitude of the fans will be far better now than it was then.

“During the 2000 Nations Cup when things were going wrong, the fans just got impatient and screamed. Now I can deal with that sort of pressure and the trick for those of us with the experience of playing in Accra will be to try and insulate the young ones from it,” Kingson said.

Ghana exited the 2000 Nations Cup on home soil after defeat to South Africa in the quarterfinals and for many fans that tournament will also be remembered for the abuse that was rained on the team when the going got tough.

“Sometimes it’s a worry that when we are playing at home and the fans scream when we expect them to help us. Football doesn’t always go to plan, but when you are faced with difficulties you want encouragement rather than condemnation. Some players don’t have the heart for that sort of thing.

“I hope as players we can ignore the crowd and concentrate on the game. I really hope that the supporters will cheer in hard times, that they will fill the stands because the insults won’t help. It kills the spirit and I really hope that this time, we can get their support,” he added.