Former Black Stars right back, John Paintsil has revealed that he rejected an opportunity to play for Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko when he first hit the limelight.
The former Berekum Arsenal player speaking on Max TV’s Black Stars Classics said he rejected the two Ghanaian giants in preference of a shot at Tel Aviv based Maccabi.
” In 2000, after the U-20 World Cup in Argentina, Hearts and Kotoko wanted me to play for them. I met both Harry Zakour and Herbert Mensah but I told them I don’t want to join, I rather opted for Liberty Professionals on a 6 month deal before finalising my move to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel”.
Analysts and commentators have often described Paintsil as one of the best right backs to feature for the Black Stars.
The former Fulham man played over 50 games for the Black Stars and was part of the Black Stars squad for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup.
He also played for Leicester City and West Ham among other clubs
He’s currently a technical advisor/coach and team coordinator for Ghana Premier League club Legon Cities FC.
Source: Mutala Yakubu