The Black Stars are gearing up for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month, but preparations have been rocked by the absence of six key players due to injuries.
Ghana will take on Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium before facing Madagascar in Morocco in Group I of the qualifiers.
However, with several top names ruled out, head coach Otto Addo faces a tough challenge in assembling a competitive squad.
The Missing Stars
Fatawu Issahaku
The Leicester City winger picked up an injury during a crucial match, forcing him off in the first half.
He missed Ghana’s final AFCON Group F game against Niger and has since returned to England for further treatment.
Alidu Seidu
The right-back suffered a torn ACL while playing for Rennes in a Ligue 1 clash against Lille in November 2024.
He underwent surgery in December and is expected to be out for 6-9 months, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Joseph Paintsil
The Los Angeles Galaxy winger is sidelined with a quad injury and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks, meaning he will miss the qualifiers.
Abdul Mumin
The Rayo Vallecano defender suffered a setback during his side’s 1-1 draw with Sevilla in La Liga on March 1.
He was forced off in the 35th minute and is unlikely to recover in time for Ghana’s upcoming games.
Daniel Kofi Kyereh
The attacking midfielder has been battling an ACL injury since 2023.
Although he has returned to training, he is yet to regain full fitness and won’t be available for selection.
Joseph Aidoo
The centre-back initially suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a friendly against Mexico in October 2023.
He recently picked up a hamstring injury, which will keep him out for 2-3 weeks.
What This Means for Ghana
With these key players missing, Ghana faces an uphill task in the qualifiers. Otto Addo will have to rely on squad depth and make tactical adjustments to keep the Black Stars competitive in Group I.
Fans will be hoping for a strong showing from the available players as Ghana pushes for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, the injured stars will be working towards a swift recovery to rejoin the squad in future fixtures.
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