Black Stars winger Joseph Paintsil says he is not under pressure to replicate his brilliant club form with Ghana’s men’s football team.
He said this in a post-training press conference as the Black Stars continue preparations for the 2023 AFCON qualifier against Madagascar on Sunday, June 18.
Paintsil was one of the standout Ghanaian players in the 2022-2023 season, producing 14 goals and 14 assists in 30 Belgian Jupiler Pro League appearances for KRC Genk.
The speedster assisted Osman Bukari’s equalizing goal in Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola, in the last round of qualifiers.
However, Paintsil believes adopting a team first approach lessens the pressure on him to do what he did in the just-ended club season.
“For me I am not really under pressure you know. My style of play is to always help the team in terms of giving assists, in terms of fighting, in terms of defending, in terms of taking players on that’s my task. If I score, we thank God but the most important thing is the team,” he said.
A win for Ghana ensures qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament.