Baba Rahman rejects Black Stars call-up again

Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman has, for the third time, rejected a call-up to be part of the Black Stars team for upcoming assignments.

On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Otto Addo announced Ghana’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Conspicuously missing from the 23-man squad is Baba Rahman, who has been excelling for his Greek club, PAOK.

Explaining the reason for Baba Rahman’s absence from the squad, Otto Addo revealed that the left-back is not interested in playing for Ghana.

Otto Addo stated that Baba Rahman is still unhappy with the treatment he received from supporters of the Black Stars during a game in Kumasi.

“Players have families and friends, and it affects a whole lot of things. They’re all human beings, and there should always be a line. I hope that one day Baba will decide to play again [for the Black Stars], but at the moment, he doesn’t want to play,” Addo said.

"We would have needed him very much. I had a long talk with him, and I even wanted to fly there, but he was sure he wouldn’t change his mind."

It will be recalled that Baba Rahman was subjected to abuse by fans of the Black Stars during a match in Kumasi in September 2023.

During a game between Ghana and the Central African Republic, Baba Rahman suffered constant abuse from the supporters, who continued to boo him.

Since then, Baba Rahman has not featured for Ghana.

Ghana will face Angola on September 6 in Kumasi before taking on Niger in their next AFCON qualifier four days later.

EK