Stories and facts

John Paintsil, born on June 15, 1981, in Berekum, Ghana, is a former professional footballer best known for his role as a full-back.

During his illustrious career, he played for clubs such as Berekum Arsenal, Liberty Professionals, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Tel Aviv, West Ham United, Fulham, Leicester City, Santos, and Maritzburg United.

Internationally, he represented Ghana from 2001 to 2013, earning 89 caps.

After retiring from professional football, Paintsil transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach for Kaizer Chiefs in the South African Premiership and later joined the Ghana national team, the Black Stars, as an assistant coach.

His coaching journey has been marked by dedication to nurturing talent and contributing to Ghanaian football.

Paintsil has also been actively involved in youth development programs. Notably, he hosted the third edition of the Bui Power Authority Talent Identification Program in the Savannah Region, an initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing young football talents in Ghana.

In recent developments, Paintsil's position as an assistant coach for the Black Stars has been under review following Ghana's failure to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Ghana Football Association is considering restructuring the coaching staff ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

On a personal front, Paintsil encountered a car accident in January 2025 that required hospitalization. Fortunately, he is reported to be recovering well from the incident.

John Paintsil continues to be a significant figure in Ghanaian football, both through his coaching endeavors and his efforts to inspire and support young players.

Read more about the agile player below