Black Stars Hit by Djiku and Paintsil Absence Ahead of Chad Clash

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Sep 3, 2025

Alexander Djiku and Joseph Paintsil will be unavailable for Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad but are expected to feature in the subsequent fixture against Mali.

The pair, who were both included in the squad for the double-header, were unable to join the team in Accra before the Black Stars departed for N’Djamena.

Paintsil arrived in Accra this morning after missing his connecting flight from New York to Accra, following a delayed departure from Los Angeles. Djiku, meanwhile, is currently in Moscow finalising a contract and is scheduled to arrive in Accra on Friday.

The absence of the duo is expected to be a significant setback for the Black Stars, as Djiku provides stability and leadership at the back, while Paintsil’s pace and creativity in attack have often proven decisive. However, the technical team remains confident that the depth of the squad will offer sufficient cover, with several capable replacements ready to step in for Thursday’s clash.

As it stands, the technical bench will work with 22 players for the encounter against Chad in N’Djamena on 4 September 2025.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

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