Chelsea-owned fullback ruled out of World Cup playoff vs Nigeria after Paul Ince reveal

Published: March 11, 2022

Abdul Rahman Baba will not be available for selection for Ghana's crucial 2022 World Cup playoff matches with Nigeria later this month, with Reading interim boss Paul Ince revealing that the Chelsea-owned fullback is still recovering from injury and is facing at least another two weeks on the sidelines.

Rahman, one of the well known players in the Black Stars squad due to his Chelsea connections, has been inactive for the Royal since February 19 when he picked up an ankle injury in a Championship clash at Preston North End.

With the exception of the 1-0 away loss to South Africa, the 27-year-old logged the distance in all the matches played by the four-time African champions during the World Cup qualifiers.

Rahman was named in Ghana's provisional squad list to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but narrowly missed out on the finalized roster.

In quotes relayed by BerkshireLive, Ince said at the pre-match press conference before his side's trip to Nottingham Forest : "Rahman is two or three weeks away. Halilovic is maybe another week or so away.

"It's tough because these players have been out a while and we need to get them back up to scratch."

Ghana will entertain Nigeria at the Cape Coast Stadium on Friday, March 25, starting from 2030 hours and the return match will take place at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, starting from 1800 hours.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Instagram

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