Ghana winger Joseph Paintsil has withdrawn from the Black Stars squad due to injury.
According to a statement on Ghana FA’s official website, Paintsil has been granted permission by the technical team to return to Belgium. Paintsil suffered the injury in Sunday’s game against Anderlecht. “The Technical team of the Black Stars has granted Joseph Painstil permission to return to his club in Belgium due to injury,” said the statement, adding: “The winger sustained the injury in the last period of his League game against Anderlecht on Sunday and was later substituted – forcing him to withdraw from Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic. The player will return to his club immediately to commence rehabilitation. That leaves Chris Hughton with 24 players to prepare for the match on Thursday.”
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Richard Ofori joined the Black Stars camp in Kumasi ahead of the qualifier against Central African Republic on Thursday. The Orlando Pirates shots stopper who arrived in camp Tuesday, trained with the rest of the squad at the Baba Yara Sports stadium. Also joining the team was Crystal Palace forward Joran Ayew.
The Black Stars will continue their preparation on Wednesday ahead of the crucial match scheduled for 4 pm kick-off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7. Ghana sit on top of Group E with 9 points and a win will secure them a place at the tournament in Ivory Coast next January.
Ghana squad; Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen, Richard Ofori.
Defenders: Alidu Seidu, Kingsley Schindler, Stephan Ambrosius, Joseph Aidoo, Alexander Djiku, Nicholas Opoku, Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah.
Midfielders: Abdul Samed-Salis, Baba Iddrisu, Edmund Addo, Andre Ayew, Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Kudus, Ransford Konigsdorffer.
Forwards: Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Ernest Nuamah, Osman Bukari, Jonathan Sowah.