Passport snags keep Joseph Paintsil from AFCON

The LA Galaxy star forward, Joseph Paintsil, has pulled out of Ghana’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger in Morocco due to passport issues.

The 26-year-old footballer, who recently rejoined the national team, featured briefly in Ghana’s 1-0 loss to Angola last Thursday in Kumasi. However, his inability to travel has forced him to stay in Accra to resolve the issue.

The Ghana Football Association confirmed that 23 players traveled to Morocco following Paintsil’s withdrawal. They also stated that once he resolves his passport problems, he will return to the United States to rejoin his Major League Soccer side, LA Galaxy. His absence is a setback for Ghana, as Paintsil’s experience and recent form were expected to boost the team’s performance.

Ghana is determined to bounce back from their defeat to Angola and will face Niger’s Menas on Monday at the RS Berkane Stadium in Morocco. Securing a win is crucial for Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite Paintsil’s absence, the team remains focused on collecting the necessary points to strengthen their position in the qualifiers.