<<Print>>

There is no simmering feud hanging over the availability of John Paintsil for Ghana�s campaign at next month�s 2010 African Cup of Nations. Paintsil, one of the many African stars faced with the difficult decision of leaving club commitments to pursue national duties has declared his readiness to play for the Black Stars at the tournament in Angola. With some European leagues not set for any winter breaks, the clash of fixtures with the Nations Cup has become an inevitable situation for such players. And Fulham�s right-back is one of the players caught up in the tough club versus country puzzle. But he says his commitment to the Ghana national team is unquestionable as he prepares to make the trip to Cabinda, the group base for the Black Stars in Angola for the tournament which starts on January 10 and runs till January 31, 2010. �Playing for my country is always special for me and it is not different now and will never be,� the Ghana and Fulham right back told Ghana Football �the FA�s official newspaper on Wednesday. For Paintsil, playing in Angola can bring him glory after coming so close to lifting the title two years ago. �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,� Paintsil said. Paintsil explains that his career has reached its present heights partly due to the national team as he recounts the massive support he received from the nation during a torrid time in his profession. �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.� Though aware of the enormous pressure on him considering his club career, Paintsil rejects claims that his coach Roy Hodgson has attempted talking him out of turning up for the Nations Cup in Angola. �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.� Club versus Country Paintsil�s club, Fulham, clash in the derby against Chelsea on December 28, a day after Ghana�s camp commences preparations for the tournament. But the defender says both parties [GFA and Fulham] can find a common ground. �I read his comments about my release but I think it�s not that he doesn�t want me to go. His worry is about me missing the December 28 derby with Chelsea. �I think it�s an issue my club and the GFA can settle amicable. It�s about communication and I believe we will reach a compromise.�