‘We’re truly sorry; lessons learnt’ — Joseph Paintsil on Black Stars’ early AFCON ‘23 exit

Ghanaian left winger Joseph Paintsil has offered a public apology to the nation for the Black Stars’ disappointing early exit from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Ghana were hoping to challenge for their 5th AFCON title but finished third in their group after failing to win a single match.

They drew with Egypt and Mozambique and lost to Cape Verde, which meant they had to rely on being selected as one of the best third-place teams to qualify for the knockout phase.

However, those hopes were dashed after Cameroon secured a win in their last game, leaving the Black Stars eliminated before the round of 16.

In a heartfelt post on social media, Paintsil expressed his regret at not being able to meet the expectations of Ghanaian supporters.

“Sincere apologies to the good people of Ghana. We are truly sorry for not meeting your expectations,” Paintsil wrote, adding, “Important lessons to take away from this unforgettable experience.”

The Genk winger thanked Ghanaians for continuing to back the national team despite their disappointing performances.