FORMER Premier League star John Paintsil has cheated death in a horrific road smash.
The ex-West Ham and Fulham defender, 43, now works as Ghana’s assistant manager.
Paintsil was travelling back to capital city Accra on Saturday after watching a national cup final, together with Ghana boss Otto Addo and goalkeeping coach Fatawu Dauda.
But their Toyota Land Cruiser was involved in a collision with a pick-up truck on the road back from south-western town Tarkwa.
Footage and photos show the wrecked SUV with one side caved in and wheels missing.
The three Black Stars coaches were rushed to hospital in Takoradi for emergency treatment.
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They are due to undergo further investigations in Accra before preparing the national team for upcoming games against Angola and Niger.
The Ghana FA said: “Members of the Black Stars technical team were involved in a road accident while returning from Tarkwa.
“The vehicle carrying Head Coach Otto Addo, Assistant Coach John Paintsil and goalkeepers trainer Fatawu Dauda avoided a head-on collision with a pick-up truck which veered off into its lane, with some damage to the vehicle.
“All three members of the technical team are in stable condition, and will undergo further medical assessments upon their return to Accra.”
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John Paintsil’s career
Club career
- 2002: Berekum Arsenal
- 2002 – 2005: Maccabi Tel Aviv
- 2005 – 2006: Hapoel Tel Aviv
- 2006 – 2008: West Ham
- 2008 – 2011: Fulham
- 2011 – 2012: Leicester
- 2012 – 2013: Hapoel Tel Aviv
- 2013 – 2014: Santos FC (South Africa)
- 2014 – 2016: Maritzburg United
International career
- Caps: 83
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 1
Coaching career
- Kaizer Chiefs – assistant manager
- Ghana national team – assistant manager
Paintsil made 19 Premier League appearances for West Ham after arriving from Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2006.
He then had a three-year stay with Fulham, playing 75 times and helping them to a highest-ever top flight finish in 2009.
The defender, who spelled his surname Pantsil while in the UK, spent the 2011-12 season with Leicester before rejoining Israeli side Hapoel.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
