“What Fatigue?”- Paintsil Slams Hughton on Substitution

A reaction by Black Stars attacker Joseph Paintsil has betrayed Head Coach Chris Hughton’s justification for his substitution after the first half of Ghana’s draw against Mozambique at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan.

At a post-match press conference on Monday, Hughton was queried about his decision to take off Joseph Paintsil after recess with Andre Ayew coming on as a replacement.

In response, the Irish coach said the player like several others showed signs of exhaustion and therefore the crucial decision.

“The players were looking more fatigued than others and Joseph Paintsil is one of those. He was looking more fatigued. So it is a question of who replaces him. These are decisions that you have to make. We replaced him because, for me, he was looking fatigued in the first half.”

However, after being approached by a journalist who enquired about the ”fatigue” justification, the Genk winger denied knowledge of that.

“What fatigue?” he is captured in a viral video in response.

Ghana converted two penalties in both halves to take the lead in their last group game against Mozambique after losing to Cape Verde in their first and drawing against Egypt in their second.

Mozambique came from behind to draw against the Black Stars after winning a penalty sanctioned by substitute Andre Ayew in 90+1 minutes. Three minutes later, the Mambas headed a corner into the post to level.

Ghana are now third on the league table with little chance of qualifying with two points in three games. Meanwhile, Group B leaders Cape Verde and Egypt have qualified for the Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.