Baba Rahman withdraws from Ghana squad through injury

Defender becomes latest Ghana absentee ahead of Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia qualifiers

Baba Rahman has withdrawn from Ghana’s squad through injury ahead of the Black Stars’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.

The PAOK defender was initially included in Carlos Queiroz’s squad for the September international window, but has now been ruled out after an injury assessment.

Rahman’s withdrawal represents another change to Ghana’s preparations as the Black Stars prepare to begin their Group C qualifying campaign.

Ghana will travel to Bouaké to face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, 24 September before hosting The Gambia in Accra five days later.

Rahman becomes latest absentee

Rahman had been selected as one of the defenders in Queiroz’s original squad.

The Ghana Football Association announced the 24-man squad on 18 September, with Rahman included alongside Gideon Mensah, Jan Gyamerah, Derrick Luckassen, Nathaniel Adjei, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Peprah and Alexander Djiku.

However, the defender has since become the latest player to leave the squad because of injury.

Reports indicate Rahman suffered a knee injury and is expected to be unavailable for around two weeks.

His withdrawal comes as Ghana’s squad continues to change ahead of the opening qualifiers.

Ghana face Côte d’Ivoire first

The Black Stars’ first assignment will be away to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September.

The match will open Ghana’s campaign in Group C, which also contains The Gambia and Somalia.

After the trip to Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana will return home to face The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September.

The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions on 4 October.

The demanding schedule means Queiroz must now prepare his team without Rahman, who had been among the defensive options selected for the international window.

Queiroz forced to adjust squad

Rahman’s absence gives the Ghana coach another selection issue to resolve before the opening qualifier.

The Ghana Football Association has already made additional squad changes following medical uncertainties involving some players.

Jonas Adjetey, Alidu Seidu, Ebenezer Annan and Rockson Yeboah were among the defenders added to the squad, while Rahim Ibrahim, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan were also added.

The changes leave Ghana with less time to settle their plans before travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.

Rahman had been part of Ghana’s squad at the 2026 World Cup and was initially retained for the opening AFCON qualifiers.

His withdrawal now means the technical team will have to rely on the remaining defensive options as Ghana begins its latest attempt to qualify for the continental tournament.

Ghana missed the previous Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and will now start their Group C campaign against one of their fellow group contenders.

The Black Stars will hope to navigate the changes successfully as they prepare for their first competitive matches under Queiroz in the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.