In a shocking turn of events, LA Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil has been forced to withdraw from Ghana’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger in Morocco due to passport complications.
Paintsil, who recently returned to the national team, was featured briefly in Ghana’s 1-0 defeat against Angola in Kumasi last Thursday.
However, he has now been left in Accra to resolve his passport situation before returning to California to rejoin his Major League Soccer side, LA Galaxy.
The Ghana Football Association confirmed in a statement that “twenty-three players made the trip after Joseph Paintsil pulled out due to passport issues. The Los Angeles Galaxy forward has been left in Accra to sort out his passport issues before returning to the United States to join his club.”
This development comes as a significant blow to Ghana’s chances of securing vital points in their quest for Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Paintsil’s absence will be deeply felt, given his recent form and experience playing in the Major League Soccer.
Ghana will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat to Angola when they face Niger’s Menas on Monday at the RS Berkane Stadium.
The team’s chances of qualification hang in the balance, and the loss of Paintsil’s services could prove to be a significant setback.
This is not the first time that Paintsil has faced challenges related to his passport. In 2020, he was forced to miss a crucial World Cup qualifier against South Africa due to issues with his travel documents.
Paintsil’s withdrawal from the squad is a reminder of the challenges that many African players face when it comes to travel and documentation.
Despite his talent and experience, Paintsil has been forced to sit out of crucial games due to circumstances beyond his control.
As Ghana prepares to take on Niger, they will be doing so without one of their most talented players.
The team’s coach, Otto Addo, will be forced to rely on other players to fill the void left by Paintsil’s absence.
The game against Niger is crucial for Ghana’s qualification chances, and the team will be looking to put in a strong performance despite Paintsil’s absence. With the stakes high, Ghana will be hoping to secure a win and get their qualification campaign back on track.
BY Daniel Bampoe