In a candid admission, Ghanaian international Joseph Paintsil opened up about the Black Stars’ surprising failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a setback that marked Ghana’s first absence from the tournament in 21 years.

The Black Stars’ qualification campaign ended in heartbreak, with the team finishing bottom of Group F after a six-game winless streak, accumulating just three points. Despite their efforts, Angola and Sudan emerged as the top two teams in the group, securing their spots in the AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Paintsil, who is currently in Ghana for a break, shared his thoughts on the increasingly competitive nature of African football. “It’s a difficult situation now, and everybody’s playing in Europe,” he said. “You can’t just dismiss a team as weak anymore. The more you think that, the more you’ll be surprised.”

The forward also reflected on the rise of several teams that caught many off guard during the qualifiers, including Ghana, who faced unexpected challenges from across the continent.

“Many teams surprised us,” Paintsil admitted, emphasizing the strength and unpredictability of African football. “But you know, it happens. We just ask Ghanaians to always support us, no matter what. We need to go through everything together.”

With the team’s future uncertain, Coach Otto Addo, who oversaw the unsuccessful qualification campaign, now faces increasing pressure, and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is yet to announce any decisions regarding his position.

As Ghana watches the 2025 AFCON from the sidelines, the loss serves as a reminder of how quickly the football landscape in Africa is changing, leaving even the most experienced teams to adapt.