Djiku, Paintsil set to join Ghana squad for Mali after missing Chad trip

Ghana will be without Alexander Djiku and Joseph Paintsil when they take on Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in N’Djamena on Thursday, September 4, 2025.

The duo, who were both named in the Black Stars squad for the two fixtures, could not join the team in Accra before their departure for Chad.

Paintsil only arrived in Accra this morning after missing his connecting flight from New York to Accra due to a delayed departure from Los Angeles.

Djiku, meanwhile, is in Moscow to finalize a contract and is expected to arrive in Accra on Friday.

The technical team will therefore work with 22 players for the Chad encounter.

The squad includes Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Osman, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Jerry Afriyie, Joseph Anang, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Salis Samed, Mohammed Salisu, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Kudus, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Derrick Kohn, Jerome Opoku, and Caleb Yirenkyi.

The Black Stars contingent, comprising the 22 players, technical staff, and Management Committee members, departed Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday at 3:20 pm and arrived at Hassan Djamous International Airport in N’Djamena at 6:30 pm local time.

The team will train at Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Wednesday, September 3, ahead of the game against Chad. Ghana will then return to Accra to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, 2025.

The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 15 points from six matches, as they push for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.