Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman has once again declined a call-up to join the Black Stars, marking the third time he has turned down an invitation to represent his national team.
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Otto Addo revealed the 23-man squad for Ghana’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.
Notably absent from the list is Baba Rahman, who has been performing well with his Greek club, PAOK.
Otto Addo explained that Rahman’s absence was due to his reluctance to participate, citing unresolved dissatisfaction with the treatment he received from Black Stars supporters during a previous match in Kumasi.
“Players have families and friends, and it affects a whole lot of things. They’re all human beings, and there should always be a line.
I hope that one day Baba will decide to play again [for the Black Stars], but at the moment, he doesn’t want to play,” Addo said.
“We would have needed him very much. I had a long talk with him, and I even wanted to fly there, but he was sure he wouldn’t change his mind.”
Baba Rahman was notably targeted by Black Stars fans during a match in Kumasi in September 2023.
During the encounter between Ghana and the Central African Republic, Rahman endured persistent abuse and boos from the supporters.
This negative experience has led to Rahman not participating in any subsequent matches for the national team.
Looking ahead, Ghana is set to play against Angola on September 6 in Kumasi, followed by another Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger just four days later.