Black Stars defender Baba Abdul-Rahman has made known his intention not to return to the team anytime soon.
The PAOK player made this known to Black Stars coach Otto Addo, who, in turn, disclosed it on Wednesday, May 29 during a press conference to announce his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Central African Republic.
Rahman, despite his fine form with PAOK to the extent of winning the Greek Super League with the side, was left out of the squad.
He was one of the key players without injury, yet not called up by Coach Otto Addo.
Answering a question on this, the former Dortmund talent coach told journalists that he had a long talk with the player and wished he had been in the squad.
However, he further noted, the Greece-based defender made it clear that he was not ready to return to the side.
“I talked to him. I have seen his performance at his club,” Otto Addo said.
“At the moment he is not ready to come back. I had long talk with him. I even wanted to fly to his place but he was clear he is not coming back at the moment.”
Rahman opted out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad, citing “footballing reasons and nothing else”.
“Playing for my country will always be the highest point of my career and everytime I have been lucky to wear the shirt I have given my all,” he had stated, indicating then: “The last few years I have had to battle injuries and recovery times and I feel that it’s best in the interest of my career and that of the team to only play when I don’t have to think about recovery or pain- that way I can always give my best to the team.”
