Black Stars coach Otto Addo has disclosed that Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman declined an invitation to join the squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
Baba Rahman was a notable absentee from the 26-man squad announced on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
When questioned about Rahman’s omission, despite his stellar performance for PAOK in their Greek league-winning campaign, Addo explained that Rahman is still affected by the negative treatment he received from Black Stars fans during an AFCON qualifier against the Central African Republic in September 2023.
“I spoke with him, but he doesn’t want to come back… I don’t know what happened, but I think it affected him and his family. Personal attacks, criticisms… if it’s tactical or performance-wise, that’s okay, but personal attacks are not good,” he said.
“We will need him for this game, but when I spoke to him, he was very sure that he was not coming back, and it is our fault that he is not coming back,” he added.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Mali in Bamako on June 6, followed by a match against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on June 10.