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2025 AFCON Qualifiers: LA Galaxy star Joseph Paintsil pulls out of Ghana squad for Angola and Niger games
LA Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil will not be available when the Black Stars take on Angola and Niger in the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Ghana will travel to face the Palancas Negras in Luanda on November 15 before playing host to Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.
The US-based forward, who was initially named in Otto Addo’s 25-0man squad for the crucial games has pulled out of the squad, citing personal issues.
Paintsil joined other seven players including Alexander Djiku, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey, Inaki Williams, Jerome Opoku, Ibrahim Osman and Antoine Semenyo as players who will not be available for the Black Stars.
The West African powerhouse will commence preparations for the upcoming on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars are on the verge on missing out on the AFCON for the first time in 20-years following the teams’ unimpressive performance in the qualifying series.
Ghana has endured a torrid AFCON qualifications, losing two and drawing two games after four matches. They have managed only two points and are currently third on the standings heading into the final round of games this month.
The Black Stars now needs to secure wins against already-qualified Angola and Niger, while hoping that Sudan falters against these same opponents, to keep their chances alive for next year’s tournament in Morocco.
Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet
