Ghanaian attacker Joseph Paintsil has pulled out from the Black Stars squad set to face Angola and Niger in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Per reports by ghanafa.org, Paintsil did not give an exact reason for his decision not to join the Black Stars squad for the remaining two games in the AFCON qualifiers.

It was noted that the LA Galaxy attacker told officials that the reasons for his absence are personal.

Other players who have withdrawn from the squad include Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Osman Ibrahim, Jereme Opoku, Alexander Djiku, and Jonas Adjetey.

It is worth noting that the seven remaining players cited injury problems as the reason for their withdrawal.

This comes as a big blow for the Black Stars as they aim to win against Niger and Angola and hope Sudan lose their remaining matches to secure qualification.

After four matches, Ghana are third in Group F with two points. Sudan are in second place with seven points, while Angola lead with twelve points.

Ghana will play Angola on November 15, 2024, and return to host Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.

Jordan Ayew will captain Black Stars against Niger, Angola – Otto Addo