Inaki Williams: Ghana Drop Athletic Bilbao Star For Nigeria, Uganda Friendlies

• Ghana has named their squad to face Nigeria and Uganda in a friendly
• The West African giants will be without Athletic Bilbao star Inaki Williams
• Williams has bagged nine goals in La Liga in the ongoing campaign

Athletic Bilbao star Inaki Williams will be absent from Ghana's roster for the upcoming international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda next week.

The 29-year-old was conspicuously left out of the 26-man squad revealed by head coach Otto Addo on Saturday night. The matches are scheduled to be held in Morocco.

No explicit explanations were provided for his exclusion from the team.

The forward encountered a challenging Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Ghana in Ivory Coast earlier this year, marked by a costly error resulting in a goal against Egypt, contributing to his frustration.

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However, this season for Athletic Club, he has been in top form, netting nine goals and delivering three assists, including one during the recent weekend fixture against Deportivo Alaves.

In addition to Williams, other notable absentees from the squad include Richard Ofori, Joseph Paintsil, and Majeed Ashimeru.

The Black Stars are focused on delivering strong performances against Nigeria and Uganda as they continue their preparations for upcoming competitions.

The friendly match under Otto Addo's leadership marks his return to coaching the Black Stars on March 22nd, with expectations high for a positive start to his second stint in charge.

Kudus, Ayew make Ghana squad

Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus and Andre Ayew have been named in coach Otto Addo’s 26-man list for Ghana’s upcoming international friendly games against Nigeria and Uganda.

Captain Ayew, forward Jordan Ayew, Kudus, Osman Bukari, Samed Abdul Samed, and Elisha Owusu have been named in Addo’s first squad since his return as coach was confirmed on Friday.

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Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey is back in the Ghana squad after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations, while, Patrick Kpozo, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Edmund Addo have also made a return to the team.

Ghana appoint Addo as coach

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has given the green light to the recommendation made by the five-member Black Stars Head Coach search committee to appoint Addo as Ghana's next coach.

This decision comes after an extensive yet conclusive emergency meeting of the Executive Council on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

As a result, the GFA has successfully negotiated with Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund for Addo to be released to assume the position.