Black Stars: Eight players dropout for AFCON Qualifiers

Eight players have withdrawn from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger due to injuries and personal reasons. The players affected include Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jonas Adjetey, Tariq Lamptey, Jerome Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Ibrahim Osman, and Joseph Paintsil. Here’s a closer look at their situations:

• Inaki Williams: Sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained on November 7, which has prevented him from training.
• Tariq Lamptey: Struggling with calf discomfort that worsened last week; he’s currently in rehabilitation with his club.
• Jonas Adjetey: Experienced a setback in his recovery during a league match on November 9, delaying his return.
• Jerome Opoku: Aggravated chronic back pain in a recent match against Besiktas on November 10 and is now undergoing rehab with his team.
• Antoine Semenyo: Suffering from patella tendon strain due to overuse; club doctors advised rest and treatment with a tendon specialist.
• Alexander Djiku: Re-injured a previous hamstring issue, leading to an early substitution in his last game on November 10.
• Ibrahim Osman: Pulled out with a hamstring injury sustained in his previous club appearance.
• Joseph Paintsil: Withdrew for personal reasons.