Alexander Djiku, Joseph Paintsil to miss Chad clash
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that winger Joseph Paintsil and defender Alexander Djiku will join the Black Stars only after today’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad.
Both players were named in Otto Addo’s 24-man squad for the September fixtures but were unable to travel with the team to N’Djamena.
Djiku is currently in Moscow to finalise a contract and is expected to arrive in Accra on Friday, while Paintsil missed his connecting flight from New York to Accra due to delays and only arrived in Ghana on Wednesday morning.
As a result, the two players will miss the clash with Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno but will be available for Ghana’s second Group I qualifier against Mali on Monday, 8 September, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
“The two players, who were named in the squad for both games, could not make it to Accra before the team departed for N’Djamena. Paintsil arrived in Accra this morning, having missed his connecting flight from New York to Accra due to a delayed departure from Los Angeles. Alexander Djiku is in Moscow to sign a contract and will arrive in Accra on Friday. The technical team will work with 22 players for the game against Chad, scheduled for N’Djamena on Thursday, 4 September 2025,” stated the Communications Director of the GFA.
The Black Stars are training with 22 players ahead of the Chad fixture as they aim to maintain their lead in Group I and boost their chances of qualifying for a fifth FIFA World Cup.
