Ghana defender John Paintsil has disentangle himself from a club-versus-country row stating his availability for the Black Stars preparations ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
The Fulham right-back was put in a tight corner after his boss Roy Hodgson said he will not release the player for Ghana’s pre-tournament training camp in South Africa on 27 December.
But the 27-year-old has no doubts of joining his team mates early before the competition kick-starts on 10 January.
“The coach has never discussed that with me and has never attempted to prevent me from playing for Ghana. I don’t think he will do such a thing.” he told the GFA’s official newspaper.
Paintsil has targeted winning the trophy in Angola as he makes his fourth Nations Cup appearance.
“Playing for my country is always special for me and it is not different now and will never be,” he added.
“Personally, the Cup of Nations is a special tournament. It’s a tournament I want to win in Angola after the disappointment of 2008 in Ghana.
“The team is committed to doing that and I hope we will do better than 2008. I am where I am today because of Ghana and the Black Stars.
“When the going was tough for me, Ghana was always behind me. I will never turn my back on my country.”
