Joseph Paintsil reveals Otto Addo’s excuse for his 2022 World Cup snub

Ghanaian footballer Joseph Paintsil has disclosed that former Black Stars coach Otto Addo excluded him from the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad due to what he described as defensive frailties.

According to Paintsil, the coach personally called to inform him about the decision to omit him from the squad, which left him utterly disappointed.

The attacker, who currently plays in the United States, indicated that he was not given any tangible reason for the decision, making him believe there was a deliberate attempt to hurt him.

7 facts you must know about new Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz

“It means a lot. Four years ago, I was really disappointed with the decision of the coach of the national team, which had no tangible or reasonable explanation for me being excluded from the list. We had a lot of ups and downs, talks. There was no miscommunication, but I think they already planned it.

“It wasn’t about my performance. Because I spoke to the coach and he admitted I was really good, I was scoring goals and everything. But at the end of the day, the only answer he gave me was that football is not about goals and assists,” he said.

The LA Galaxy attacker noted that when he pressed Otto Addo further for the exact reason, he was told his defensive contribution to the team was not impressive, hence his exclusion.

Paintsil said the response surprised him because defensive abilities should not be the primary criteria for an attacker.

He further disclosed that he had committed to tracking back and contributing defensively, yet Otto Addo ignored this and stuck with his decision.

“I was like, what is really going on? If football is not about goals and assists, then what am I even doing here? So I asked him what was the reason I wasn’t in the squad. He told me there’s no reason, but the only reason is I don’t defend. And I was like, I’m not a defender, I’m an offensive player. If it’s for me to defend, I will in certain situations in the game because I’m a player who is really quick and can take players on and make decisions. If I have to defend, I can defend, but not throughout the game,” he explained.

Paintsil continued, “I can track back, yes, but don’t tell me to be like a defender and put my attacking mindset aside, because it’s my attacking mindset that has made me who I am today and put me in this position. So there was no tangible explanation. And yes, I was left behind, really disappointed. But I always need to respect the call-up of the national team.”

SB/JE

Watch the interview below:

Black stars winger Joseph Paintsil has opened up about his frustration over being overlooked by the Ghana Black Stars four years ago, saying he was left disappointed after receiving no clear explanation for his omission.

According to him, it was only after he pressed for… pic.twitter.com/nJYByg1322

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) April 16, 2026

Meanwhile, Watch highlights of the Legacy Rise Sports fight night at Bukom below