Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil
Los Angeles Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil has emphasised the importance of returning to the Black Stars and potentially qualifying for the World Cup in North America.
Paintsil returned to the Ghana national team early this month after a long absence for the World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.
He missed the trip to N’Djamena due to travel delays but helped Ghana secure an important victory against Mali, which places the West Africans in good position to qualify for the World Cup.
The in-form forward celebrated his first hat-trick for LA Galaxy in the 4-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City and he is a game away from winning his second trophy with the MLS champions, who face Toluca in the Campeones Cup final in midweek.
Painstil is expected to make coach Otto Addo’s squad for the final two games in the qualifiers after LA Galaxy’s game against FC Dallas on Saturday.
“It’s really important for me to always make my mark, especially when I am in my team, my club, LA Galaxy. With the national team it’s something also really important towards the World Cup,” said the hat-trick hero after the game against SKC.
“It’s also boost me, give me that energy to go to my national team to do whatever I need to do, no matter the amount of minutes they give me I don’t really care in my national team though, but the most important thing is my club, and the most important thing is for me to focus on my club and the national team when it comes, it’s kudos.
“It’s also give my an additional power to also go to the national team with these two games we have for the qualification of the World Cup. We just hope and wish we win our first game and just go through the World Cup.”
The former KRC Genk forward has been pivotal for LA Galaxy this season despite a tough campaign for the champions, scoring nine goals in 23 league matches.
