Otto Addo is under immense pressure to deliver results after Ghana’s catastrophic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, which ended embarrassingly with the Black Stars failing to secure a spot in Morocco’s continental showpiece.
The manager has not been helped by the injuries to some Black Stars players as March’s international break looms.
Ghana, second in Group I and level on points with group leaders Comoros, take on Chad and Madagascar as they aim to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
However, Otto Addo and the Black Stars have been dealt a fresh blow as Joseph Paintsil is reportedly injured until April.
The LA Galaxy winger suffered a quad injury, ruling him out for up to eight weeks.
Paintsil’s injury follows that of long term absentees, Abdul Fatwau Issahaku, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on international duty against Angola in November, as well as Alidu Seidu, who was dealt the same blow while playing for his club, Rennes.
The Leicester winger, Fatawu Issahaku, and Rennes defender, Alidu Seidu, are expected to return later in the year.
Meanwhile, Lorient center back Nathaniel Adjei is out with an ankle issue, while Fenebarche’s Alexander Djiku was subbed off in his side’s cup game over the weekend with a suspected hamstring problem.
One of the lingering problems in Otto Addo’s second coming has been a lack of consistency and continuity due to injuries, with players such as Partey and Inaki Williams missing crucial games for Ghana.
The recent setbacks paint a bleak picture for the Black Stars, who are aspiring to participate in a fifth World Cup.
