Eight players withdraw from Black Stars squad

The Black Stars’ hopes of a strong performance in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers have suffered a major setback as eight players have been forced to withdraw from the squad ahead of this month’s crucial fixtures against Angola and Niger.

The withdrawals have left Otto Addo, head coach of the Black Stars, scrambling to reshape his squad with little time to spare. 

Among the players affected are Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, and Alexander Djiku, all of whom have been sidelined due to injuries or personal reasons.

The injury list is extensive, with some players facing long recovery periods. Inaki Williams, a key forward for the Black Stars, sustained a hamstring injury during training on Thursday (7 November), leaving him unable to join the team. 

Tariq Lamptey, who has been a crucial figure in defence, is grappling with a calf issue that worsened last week, forcing him to undergo rehabilitation with his club.

Jonas Adjetey, another defender, had been recovering well but suffered a setback during FC Basel’s recent match on Saturday (9 November). 

Meanwhile, Jerome Opoku is battling chronic back pain, which was aggravated during a Süper Lig match against Besiktas on Sunday (10 November).

Further compounding Addo’s challenge, Antoine Semenyo is struggling with patella tendonitis, a result of overuse during his club’s demanding schedule. 

AFC Bournemouth’s medical staff has recommended he see a tendon specialist during the international break to prevent further damage.

Alexander Djiku, a regular fixture in defence, also faces a hamstring injury that forced him off in Fenerbahçe’s recent game, while Ibrahim Osman sustained a similar injury during Feyenoord’s match, which led to him being substituted at halftime.

Joseph Painstil, a forward with key international experience, has withdrawn for personal reasons, adding another wrinkle to Addo’s selection dilemma.

Terry Yegbe, the Elfsborg central defender, has already been called up as a replacement for Djiku and Opoku. 

Sources close to the team suggest other replacements are being lined up to fill the gaps left by the injured players.

Ghana’s Black Stars face a tight schedule, with their first match against Angola in Luanda on Friday (15 November), followed by a clash with Niger three days later in Accra. 

With these high-stakes fixtures approaching, Coach Otto Addo is under pressure to quickly assemble a competitive squad, but the challenges posed by injuries and withdrawals are likely to test the team’s depth.

As Ghana’s AFCON aspirations hang in the balance, the coming days will be pivotal in determining how Addo can navigate the crisis and ensure his team is ready for the battle ahead.

Reporting by Ekow Essilfie in Greater Accra

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