Ghana forward Joseph Paintsil is confident the ups and downs the Black Stars players experienced at their clubs in the just concluded 2022/23 football season will not affect how they will perform against Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Chris Hughton’s charges are set to play the Bereas at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar on June 18 in round five of next year’s AFCON qualifiers.
Paintsil, who had a fabulous season with Genk in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League, losing the title on the final day to Royal Antwerp, is optimistic the past is behind them and they are focused on the Madagascar game.
“As you can see we still have the belief, the team work, the commitment and everything. Even though they have a little bit of up and downs at their clubs that does not really affect them in the national team,” he said on Tuesday at a press conference in Accra after their second training session.
He added, “I think every player who is invited here is really motivated for the clash between Ghana and Madagascar.”
Chris Hughton’s side needs just a draw to book their slot in the tournament to be held in Ivory Coast.
The Black Stars lead Group E with 8 points with two wins and two draws in their four group games.
Source: Footballghana
