Revolution Hits Black Stars’ Team
…Semenyo, Inaki & 6 Others Withdraw From AFCON Qualifiers
Latest developments in Ghana’s Black Stars, have given suspicion of massive revolution with a total of eight key players, announcing their decision to withdraw from the squad ahead of the penultimate and final game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
They, include Atletico Bilbao’s Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Alexander Djiku, Joseph Painstil, Tariq Lamptey, Ibrahim Osman, Jerome Opoku, as well as Jonas Adjetey.
These players, originally named in the 25-man squad, will not honour their invitations for various reasons, including injuries and personal matters.
As a result, coach Otto Addo, will need to make last-minute replacements with the first match just days away.
The development, has put Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the tournament difficult situation, following the announcement by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), confirming the withdrawals of the eight players.
The senior national team ,will need at least victories over Angola and Niger, coupled with Sudan, having failed to secure points in their games against the same opponents to sail through.
In the case of Inaki Williams, the player would miss the two games due to a hamstring injury. He did not play in his team, Atletico Bilbao’s 1-1 draw with Valladolid over the weekend.
He is said to have picked a hamstring injury sustained on November 7, preventing him from training.
Antoine Semenyo on the other hand, although played for his team Bournemouth over the weekend, will be unable to travel to Ghana to prepare for the two upcoming games.
A statement on the Ghana Football Association website, said this about Semenyo: “Nursing an injury of the patella tendon due to overload of games.
The club medical team, thought it wise to use the break to refer him to a tendon specialist to prevent worsening of the injury”.
Alexander Djiku, Ghana’s most consistent defender, will also be unavailable after suffering an aggravated hamstring injury in Besiktas’ 4-1 victory over Sivasspor over the weekend which led to his substitution.
Jonas Adjetey: Had a setback in his recovery during his club’s game on November 9.
Jerome Opoku: Struggling with chronic back pain, worsened during a Super Ligue game against Besiktas on November 10. He is undergoing rehabilitation.
Tariq Lamptey: Dealing with an aggravated calf discomfort, currently undergoing rehabilitation with his club
However, Joseph Painstil, withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.
The Black Stars, would face Angola at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda on Friday, November 15, 2024, and host Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.
