Ghana’s Black stars face injury setbacks ahead of crucial AFCON 2025 qualifiers
The Black Stars of Ghana are grappling with a wave of injuries as eight players have been ruled out for their crucial upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifying matches against Angola and Niger. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed on Monday that head coach Otto Addo will need to navigate these matches without a significant portion of his squad.
Among the key absences are Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Ibrahim Osman, and Joseph Paintsil.
The GFA cited a mix of injuries and personal reasons for these withdrawals, leaving Ghana’s qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Inaki Williams, one of Ghana’s pivotal attackers, has been officially ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained on November 7.
Since then, the Athletic Bilbao forward has been unable to train, forcing him to sit out the upcoming qualifiers.
Williams’ absence will be a blow to the team, given his attacking prowess and recent contributions to the squad.
Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey is also unavailable as he continues to recover from calf discomfort.
The issue, which began as minor soreness, has worsened over the past week, leading Brighton’s medical staff to place him in rehabilitation.
Lamptey, known for his speed and defensive tenacity, would have been a vital addition to Ghana’s defensive lineup.
Youngster Jonas Adjetey, who had been progressing well from a previous injury, suffered a recurrence during his latest league match on November 9.
The setback will keep him from joining the national team, as the Ghanaian side had hoped to utilize his versatility in the upcoming fixtures.
Forward Antoine Semenyo’s injury to his patellar tendon, caused by an overload of matches, has led his club’s medical team to seek specialized treatment during the international break.
The decision aims to prevent the injury from worsening, ensuring the Bournemouth player can recover fully before returning to competitive action.
Jerome Opoku, currently playing in the Turkish Süper Lig, has been dealing with chronic back pain that intensified during a recent match against Besiktas on November 10.
As a result, he remains under treatment with his club, ruling him out of Ghana’s squad for the time being.
Defensive stalwart Alexander Djiku has also been ruled out due to a relapse of a hamstring injury.
Djiku’s recurring injury flared up again during his last club appearance on November 10, dashing hopes for his anticipated return to the national side.
Ibrahim Osman sustained a hamstring injury during his latest club match, which saw him replaced at halftime.
The GFA confirmed that his recovery will take time, leaving him unable to represent Ghana in the upcoming fixtures.
Joseph Paintsil’s withdrawal from the Black Stars roster is attributed to personal reasons.
While no further details were provided, his absence adds to the growing list of key players missing from Ghana’s squad.
Ghana’s qualification for AFCON 2025 remains uncertain, and the Black Stars face a challenging path ahead.
Currently sitting third in Group F with just two points from four matches, Ghana’s prospects hinge on winning their final two games and relying on other results to secure a spot.
Sudan, currently leading with seven points, will need to falter in both remaining matches for Ghana to advance.
Despite these setbacks, head coach Otto Addo and his remaining squad members will gather in Accra to prepare for the November 15 away match against Angola, followed by their November 18 home fixture against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium. With so many key players out, Ghana will need to rely on its depth and resilience as they pursue a path to the AFCON tournament in Morocco next year.
