2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers: Winger Joseph Paintsil to miss Niger match today

Black Stars forward Joseph Paintsil will miss Ghana's second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Niger on Monday due to issues with his US work permit.

Head coach Otto Addo revealed that Paintsil is dealing with visa complications and has been granted permission to visit the US Embassy to resolve the problem.

Paintsil, who featured briefly in Ghana's opening qualifier against Angola, was expected to play a part in the fixture against Niger. However, he was not included in the squad that traveled to Morocco for this critical second group match.

In addition to Paintsil's absence, defender Jerome Opoku will also miss the game.

Addo provided an update on the situation: "He [Jerome Opoku] will be out for this game. Also, Joseph Painstil, there is some issue with his work permit for the US.

"For that, he has to go to the US Embassy. The procedure takes some days. We needed his passport when he wanted to come to Morocco. We couldn't take him there. We were hoping he would finish everything fast at the US Embassy.

"But, like I said, I think it takes more than three, four, five days. He had to do it because otherwise, he couldn't return to his club in the US. So, both of them will not be available."

The Black Stars are determined to secure a victory against Niger, with the match scheduled to kick off in Berkane at 15:00 GMT.