Black Stars winger Joseph Paintsil explains why he couldn’t join Ghana team ahead of Nigeria & Uganda friendlies

Black Stars winger Joseph Paintsil has explained that he turned down Black Stars’s call-up because of ‘immigration documentation’.

According to Paintsil, he is yet to complete the procedure for his immigration documents and therefore cannot travel outside the United States following his move to LA Galaxy in the USA.

“Unable to Join the Ghana Squad. As a result of my very recent move to a new club in the United States, there are some further immigration documentation procedures I have to go through, which is why I am unable to travel outside the United States until the process is completed. For this reason, I am unable join the squad for the upcoming friendly games.” said the US-based winger.

He added that: ”I have duly communicated the reasons for my absence from the national team to management. I wish the new head coach Otto Addo, my colleagues and the entire team the best in this upcoming hurdle. Ghana holds a special place in my heart, and I am always ready to defend and represent the country.”


Joseph Paintsil joined LA Galaxy from Belgium top-flight side Genk in February.

Although, he has had a good start in the MLS, he will not be available for Ghana’s friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda in March.