Ghana defender John Paintsil has charged his team-mates to give off their best as they face a make or break situation in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 31-year-old marshaled Ghana's defence in their 3-0 win over Niger on Monday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, booking a date with tournament debutants Cape Verde.

The guardsman, who is making his fifth Nations Cup appearance, is calling for a much better performance when they meet the Blue Sharks in the quarter-finals clash on Saturday.

"Every game is difficult and as a team, we are aiming to improve match after match. So we need to step up from our performance against Niger to beat Cape Verde on Saturday," Paintsil told SKYY Power Radio.

"Most of my team-mates are relatively new to the competition and as an experienced player, it is my job to help organise the boys in terms of positioning. As a full-back, I see most of what is happening on the pitch, so I have to guide my team-mates so that they can play well."

He has however made his 86th appearance for the Black Stars of Ghana.