Ghana coach Otto Addo has disclosed the challenges faced in persuading PAOK defender Baba Abdul Rahman to rejoin the Black Stars team, with efforts proving unsuccessful.
Rahman, who opted out of the 2023 AFCON tournament, citing personal reasons, has not returned to the national team despite ongoing attempts.
Addo attributes Rahman's reluctance to criticisms and personal attacks endured in recent years, expressing disappointment at the situation.
“I spoke with him but he doesn’t want to come back……What happened in Kumasi affected him and his family a lot. Personal attacks, criticisms….if it is tactical or performance wise that’s okay but to attack him personally is not good,” he said.
“This game we will need him but I spoke to him and he was very sure that he was not coming back and it is our fault that he is not coming back,” he added.
Despite Rahman's absence, the squad boasts notable players like Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, and others, including returnees Thomas Partey and Alexander Djiku.
Surprisingly, captain Andre Ayew has been omitted from the team despite a stellar performance in the French Ligue 1.
Preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers kick off on May 30, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium, with Ghana aiming for victories against Mali and Central Africa Republic to improve their Group I standing.
