AFCON 2023 : Baba Rahman withdraws from BlackStars squad

Ghana defender Baba Rahman recused himself from the Black Stars ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

According to the informed Greek-based defender, his withdrawal from the squad is factually based on football reasons and has nothing to do with the incessant boos he suffered from the fans whiles playing for the BlackStars back in September.

READ MORE: AFCON 2023: Ayew, Kudus, Lamptey make final list as Partey, Baba Rahman, Issahaku miss out

He posted on his official Twitter handle that past injury struggles were consistent with the 

Rahman tweeted, “Playing for my country will always be the highest point of my career, and every time I have been lucky to wear the shirt, I have given my all.” Acknowledging the challenges of injury and recovery, he highlighted the importance of making tough calls for the benefit of both the national team and his career’s longevity.

Hear me out:

I just wanted to say that decision to opt out of the AFCON was solely based on footballing reasons and nothing else.

Playing for my country will always be the highest point of my career and everytime I have been lucky to wear the shirt I have given my all.

The… pic.twitter.com/qv3itU5uCF

— baba abdul-rahman (@babarahmangh) January 1, 2024

The final list saw players such as captain, Andre Ayew Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Daniel Amartey, Richard Ofori, and Mohammed Salisu.

Deputy captain of the BlackStars deputy Thomas Partey was also left out of the final list as well as Fatawu Issahaku. 

But to people’s surprise, Bernard Terkpetey, Bernard Mensah, Alfred Duncan, and Jeffrey Schlupp should have made the provisional squad list to talk off the final list. 

The local league managed to get a look in from the technical handlers of the BlackStars as Richmond Lamptey’s impressive performance went unnoticed, Medeama duo Fatawu Hamidu and striker Jonathan Sowah.

READ MORE: GPL Week Seventeen Review: Hearts, Kotoko, Aduana Stars win as Medeama draw

The squad will begin camping in Kumasi on January 2 and play Namibia on January 8, 2024.

The Black Stars have been housed in Group B alongside Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.