The Ghana Football Association ( GFA) has confirmed that eight key players have withdrawn from the Black Stars squad ahead of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger, presenting a significant setback as the team approaches a crucial phase in their qualification campaign.
Among those absent are notable figures such as Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and Tariq Lamptey. These withdrawals, attributed to injuries and personal issues, have left Ghana facing additional challenges ahead of these vital matches.
The Black Stars are scheduled to take on Angola in Luanda on November 15, followed by a home clash against Niger on November 18 at the Accra Sports Stadium. With their qualification hopes at risk, Ghana must win both matches and hope for favorable results in Sudan’s remaining games to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The absence of key players further complicates an already precarious situation for the team.
Inaki Williams has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained on November 7, which has kept him from training. Tariq Lamptey is also unavailable as he continues to recover from an aggravated calf injury.
Jonas Adjetey, after a setback in his recovery, has been unable to return to club matches, while Jerome Opoku deals with worsening back pain. Antoine Semenyo is out due to patella tendon issues and is seeking specialist treatment. Alexander Djiku’s persistent hamstring troubles led to his early substitution in a recent match.
Ibrahim Osman, who suffered a hamstring injury and had to be taken off at halftime in his last game, and Joseph Paintsil, who withdrew for personal reasons, round out the list of absentees.
These departures significantly weaken Ghana’s lineup, posing a formidable challenge for head coach Otto Addo and his team as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures. Every member of the squad will need to contribute their best efforts to keep Ghana’s AFCON dreams alive.
