Ghanaian forward Joseph Paintsil has assured fans that the Black Stars will bounce back by securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The four-time AFCON champions suffered a disastrous qualifying campaign, finishing last in Group F with a meager three points from six matches. The setback marked one of Ghana’s worst performances in the tournament’s history.
Despite the AFCON disappointment, the Black Stars have shown promise in their World Cup qualifying campaign. Ghana currently sits second in their group, tied on points with leaders Comoros, and remains firmly in contention for a spot in the tournament, which will be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Reflecting on the AFCON failure, Paintsil acknowledged the growing competitiveness of African football. “As you can see, we were surprised by a lot of teams. But you know, it happens. We just ask Ghanaians to always support us no matter what happens. We need to go through everything together,” he said.
Paintsil also appealed to fans for unwavering support during the World Cup qualifiers. “All they need to do is help us, pray for us, and support us in the upcoming qualification for the World Cup,” he added.
Meanwhile, Coach Otto Addo, who oversaw the AFCON qualifiers, faces mounting criticism and uncertainty about his future. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has yet to decide whether he will continue at the helm as the team prepares for the crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
The Black Stars will need to avoid any missteps in their remaining fixtures to secure a return to the global stage and redeem their reputation among fans.
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