Some Ghanaian football fans and sports personalities have shared their sentiments following the withdrawal of eight players from the Black Stars squad that will face Angola and Niger in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Some individuals expressed their disappointment in the players who withdrew from the team, especially with the timing being problematic, and only a few days to the match against Angola, an away game.
Others suggested that the issue could be a blessing in disguise as it will pave the way for the head coach Otto Addo to give some of the local-based players a chance to play for the Black Stars and showcase their skills.
Some also slammed the players for not showing enough commitment and turning their backs on the nation when needed to play for the team.
The players who have withdrawn from the squad include Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, Inaki Williams, Osman Ibrahim, Jereme Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Jonas Adjetey, and Joseph Paintsil.
It is worth noting that seven of the players cited injury problems as the reason for their withdrawal, with only Paintsil citing personal reasons.
This comes as a big blow for the Black Stars as they aim to win against Niger and Angola and hope Sudan loses their remaining matches to secure qualification.
After four matches, Ghana are third in Group F with two points. Sudan are in second place with seven points, while Angola lead with twelve points.
Ghana will play Angola on November 15, 2024, and return to host Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024.
Read the reactions below:
🚨They’ve collapsed our Black stars 😭 pic.twitter.com/aTTpSUwVmY
— Listowel Mensah (@Listo_Mens) November 11, 2024
Are we not gonna ask all of them to report to Ghana so that our medical team can confirm if indeed they are injured? Or that treatment is reserved for Thomas when he’s sick? https://t.co/lndTJbvMNR
— SITSO (@OfficialSitso) November 11, 2024
The current black stars are being pampered too much. Let’s the local black star play the remaining matches. The heartbreaks is too much.
— AMARTIOUS (@amartious2000) November 11, 2024
That’s okay “when one door closes another door opens” it’s time for the local players to show their passion for the blackstars 💯👏
— Bigg GoDd🥷 (@lastalpha4) November 11, 2024
The teams is now not attractive to the extent that players don’t even want to come and play
— YESU BA (@UccTaylorswift) November 11, 2024
Dem see now we Dey hail dem in various club nti saaa yoo Vhim we shall see
— Pusha_Daaammnzz😊🍆🥭🍓🍉🍌🫐🍇🍒🍏🍑🍍 (@Pusherditw3nu) November 11, 2024
Jordan Ayew will captain Black Stars against Niger, Angola – Otto Addo
SB/ ADG
