World Cup 2026: Alexander Djiku, Joseph Paintsil to miss Chad encounter

Ghana’s senior male team will be without two key players, defender Alexander Djiku and forward, Joseph Paintsil for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad in N’Djamena.

The two players were part of coach Otto Addo’s final squad for the two qualifiers but they failed to join their teammates for the first game due to various reasons.

Paintsil, who plies his trade in the USA with LA Galaxy, arrived in Ghana on Wednesday morning due to a delayed departure from New York to Accra missing out on joining the squad to N’Djamena on Tuesday.

Alexander Djiku is set to sign a new deal with a new club and delays in the process has kept him away for the Chad game. He is expected in Ghana on Friday, September 5, when the national team will be done facing Chad.

Both players will however be available for selection in matchday 8 against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8. The Black Stars are up against Chad on Thursday September 4 before hosting Mali four days later for matches day 7 and 8.

The four time African champions lead Group I with 15 points, three better than Comoros and will be chasing their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance in Canada, USA and Mexico.

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