Huge Blow as Ghana Loses Key Defender Ahead of AFCON Qualifiers

• Celta Vigo defender Joseph Aidoo has picked up an injury in training ahead of the AFCON qualifiers
• The Black Stars defender will miss the games against Madagascar and the Central African Republic
• Ghana will need to find a replacement for the Celta Vigo centre-back, having already lost Alexander Djiku

The Black Stars of Ghana have been dealt with a huge blow after defender Joseph Aidoo picked up an injury in training.

The Celta Vigo player will miss the opening two games of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and the Central African Republic.

According to Football Ghana, the GFA has confirmed the 26-year-old will miss Wednesday's game against Madagascar as he undergoes treatment.

Aidoo could also miss the trip to Japan for the Kirin Cup tournament, where the Black Stars have been billed to play the hosts and Chile.

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Joseph Aidoo has been in fine form, helping Celta Vigo finish 11th in La Liga. He was also player of the Month for January and February.

His outstanding displays earned him a new deal, which will keep him at the club until 2026.

Aidoo missed the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon early this year after he was dropped by former Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac.

The GFA wrote:

The Celta Vigo man twisted his right ankle during training and has been ruled out of the game on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old who missed Monday’s training, is currently being observed by the medical team as he undergoes a thorough rehabilitation process to fully recover.

Black Stars will take on the Barea of Madagascar at the Cape Coast Stadium at 7pm before playing Central African Republic four days later.

Black Stars intensify training ahead of AFCON qualifiers

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Black Stars held their first training session on Saturday as the team prepares for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Coach Otto Addo and his technical team led twenty-eight players through rigorous exercises as the boys put in work before Sunday's game against Madagascar.

In photos posted on Twitter, the players are seen going through intensive drills and ball work as Otto Addo explains his system to the team.