Former Black Stars assistant coach and Hearts of Oak head coach, Didi Dramani, has offered insight into the factors that may have contributed to Joseph Paintsil’s omission from Ghana’s latest squad.
According to Dramani, national team selections are often based on a detailed assessment of player roles, tactical requirements and competition within specific positions rather than solely individual ability.
“The technical team feels they have enough wingers who will offer better than what he offers,” Dramani told GhanaSportsPage.com.
He explained that coaching staffs typically rank players according to their suitability for the team’s playing style and system.
“When discussing player call-ups, we usually categorize the wingers. We put two on the left, two on the right and add the versatile ones who can play on both wings and as an attacking midfielder,” he said.
“So we scrutinize them before. We do it according to the intended system and place them on merit. We see it one and two. So if anything happens, you know who the replacement is.”
Dramani’s comments suggest that Paintsil’s exclusion was not necessarily a reflection of poor form, but rather the result of fierce competition for places and the technical team’s preference for other options within the wide attacking positions.
With head coach Carlos Queiroz preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, competition for places in the Black Stars squad remains intense, as players battle to secure a spot in Ghana’s final tournament roster.
