Paintsil readies for 50th cap

Improved Black Stars defender John Paintsil will be handed his 50th international cap in Sunday's 2010 joint Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium against the Squirrels of Benin.

The 26-year-old made his Black Stars debut in 2002 and played that career at the African Cup of Nations in Mali.

He has gone on to feature in three Nations Cup finals and won a bronze medal at the last edition on home soil last year.

The right-back is elated with his modest achievment and attributes it to hardwork and consistency.

"I made it to Under20 team when I wasn't known and I kept on playing and it has paid-off. It's good to get 50 matches to my credit and I really work hard for it," Paintsil told Ghanasoccernet.

"During the Nations Cup it was John Mensah and before capito Stephen also was honoured so i feel great. I think the celebrations will be much sweeter when we beat Benin on Sunday.

Paintsil has come on in leaps and bounds this term in Europe missing only one out of 30 league games played in the English Premier League for Fulham.

He was a key member of Black Satellites team that won silver at the 2001 Fifa World Youth Championship in Argentina.