Baba Rahman Refuses Ghana Invite for Mali and CAR Clash, Set to Quit Black Stars

• Baba Rahman has refused an invite for Ghana's games in June
• The Black Stars will face Mali and the Central African Republic
• Rahman has not played for his country since September 2023

Ghana coach, Otto Addo, has disclosed that Baba Abdul Rahman is feeling reluctant to rejoin the Black Stars after declining an invite for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The Greece-based defender reportedly met the new Black Stars coach to discuss a potential return after deciding to stay off the national team since the start of the year.

Rahman missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and was also out of the senior team for March's international friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria.

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Before the announcement of his decision to stay away from the Black Stars, the former Chelsea defender was booed during the game between Ghana and Madagascar in Kumasi.

Speaking to reports at the release of the Black Stars squad in Accra on Wednesday, as quoted by Graphic Sports, Addo commented:

"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, criticism... If it is tactical or performance wise, that’s okay, but to attack him personally is not good."

"This game, we will need him but I spoke to him and he was very sure that he was not coming back and it is our fault that he is not coming back," added the Ghana boss.

Rahman has been in fine form this season, helping Greek outfit, POAK Thessaloniki, win the league after making 21 appearances, per Transfermarkt.

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Meanwhile, the Black Stars will open camp on Thursday, May 30, in Accra as preparations begin for the games against Mali and the Central African Republic.

Ghana will travel to Bamako on June 7 for the match against Mali before returning to Kumasi to face the Central African Republic on June 10.

Addo names Ghana's squad for qualifiers

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana coach, Addo dropped Andre Ayew from his squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

The returning coach also included two debutants, namely Ibrahim Sulemana and Brandon Thomas-Asante, in his 26-man squad as the Black Stars seek a qualifying finish.