Ghanaian forward Inaki Williams has officially withdrawn from the Ghana national team ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches. The talented striker, who currently plays for Athletic Club in Spain’s La Liga, is dealing with a tendon injury, which will prevent him from participating in the crucial qualifiers.
The news of Williams’ injury was initially reported by his club, Athletic Club, which promptly notified the Ghana Football Association. Williams reportedly sustained the injury during a recent training session and had to sit out Athletic Club’s recent draw against Real Valladolid. As a result, the forward will remain in Bilbao to undergo treatment and focus on his recovery instead of joining the Black Stars in Ghana.
Upon receiving the medical update from Williams’ club, the Black Stars’ management made the decision to allow him to skip the journey to Accra, where further assessment would have taken place if he had been available. Given the importance of Williams’ full recovery, the national team’s medical staff and coaching team have opted to support his rehabilitation process.
As Ghana prepares to face high-stakes AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger, the Black Stars are under pressure to secure consecutive victories in order to strengthen their position for a place in the upcoming 2025 tournament in Morocco. The team is navigating an increasingly challenging situation with a series of recent injuries and withdrawals, adding more complexity to their campaign.
Head coach Otto Addo, already facing lineup changes, will need to adapt his strategies and potentially adjust his squad in light of Williams' absence. Despite these setbacks, the team is expected to push forward with the goal of securing much-needed wins. Fans and analysts alike are closely following how the Black Stars will approach these must-win matches under the current circumstances.
