Some years ago, on Citi TV’s pidgin sports show, Football Made in Ghana, eager viewers were given the reason why Ghana’s John Paintsil had to tamper with the Nigerian’s precious jewels.
In the actual incident in a Premier League game between Everton and Fulham, John Paintsil had to use an unpopular tactic to distract the bulky Nigerian goalscorer.
The West London side was defending a corner against Everton with the Ghanaian tasked with marking Toffees striker, Yakubu Ayigbeni at the near post.
With all the players waiting for the ball into the box, Paintstil decided to unsettle the Nigerian forward in the most awkward way ever; by grabbing his testicles.
Yakubu was obviously not pleased about it and confronted Paintsil who put on his most innocent face.
Throwback to when John Painstil tested to see if Yakubu Aiyegbeni had ‘balls’. Literally 😂😂😂😂😂😂#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/pCaMZbk7nw
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) May 11, 2023
The referee missed the entire incident and the match was allowed to go ahead.
Paintsil’s explanation on Football Made In Ghana indicates that there was some method to the madness.
He stated that having taken notice of the fact that Yakubu was bigger than he was and had an advantage for the corner, he knew he had to find another way to throw the striker off.
“He was thick and heavier than me, and I was supposed to mark him and, in the game, the more you stay long, the more you gain experience.
So, for you not to go one on one contact, you have to distract him, and do something to take his mind off the game. Besides that, Yakubu is my very good friend.”