Ghana winger Joseph Paintsil has expressed his indifference towards his limited opportunities with the national team, the Black Stars, despite his impressive form.
The 24-year-old was surprisingly left out of Ghana’s World Cup squad, despite being one of the hottest players in the Belgian league at the time.
Undeterred by the disappointment, Paintsil continued to work hard and had a remarkable season with his club, Genk, scoring 17 goals and providing 11 assists in the 2022/23 campaign.
Despite his success in Europe, he has struggled to establish himself in the national team, amassing only 344 minutes of playing time in seven appearances since his debut in 2017.
In an interview with 3Sports, Paintsil revealed his mindset, stating, “I don’t need to play 90 mins to show myself, the opportunity to play from the coach is the most important thing no matter how many minutes you get.” His focus remains on making the most of the chances he receives, regardless of the playing time.
[Exclusive with Joseph Paintsil]
I don't need to play 90 mins to show myself, the opportunity to play from the coach is the most important thing no matter how many minutes you get – @josephpaintsil_ #TV3NewDay pic.twitter.com/3XRiCSrGxY
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 16, 2023
With Ghana set to face Madagascar in a crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Antananarivo on Sunday, Paintsil will be hoping for a starting role. The Black Stars, four-time African champions, need a victory in order to secure qualification for next year’s tournament in Ivory Coast.